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Woman Suffrag< 



an( 



Woman's Profession 



BY 



Catharine E, Beecher. 



I 



WOMAN'S PROFESSION 



AS 



Mother and Educator, 



WITH VIEWS IN OPPOSITION TO 



WOMAN SUFFRAGE. 



BY 



/ 



CATHARINE i:, BEECHER. 



'^li 




philadelphia and boston: 

Geo. Maclean. 

NEW YORK: MACLEAN, GIBSON & CO. 

1872. 



ks 



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DEDIOATIOIT. 



TO THE MINISTEES «! RElIfilON IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Fathers and Brethren: 

As the daughter and sister of nine ministers of 
Jesus Christ you will allow me to address you by 
those endeared names ; and also because there is an 
emergency that demands unusual measures. 

This woman movement is one which is uniting by 
co-operating influences, all the antagonisms that are 
warring on the family state. Spiritualism, free-love, 
free divorce, the vicious indulgences consequent on 
unregulated civilization, the worldliness which 
tempts men and women to avoid large families, 
often by sinful methods, thus making the ignorant 
masses the chief supply of the future ruling majori- 
ties ; and most powerful of all, the feeble constitu- 
tion and poor health of women, causing them to 
dread maternity as — what it is fast becoming — an 
accumulation of mental and bodily tortures. 



DEDICATION. 

Add to this, that extreme fastidiousness which 
not only excludes needful instruction from the pul- 
pit, but makes mothers shrink from learning and 
teaching those dangers which their daughters most 
need to know, and prevents medical men and even 
women physicians from uttering needful warnings. 

I once said to a lady physician with an enormous 
practice, in reply to some of her statements, "why 
do you not call the mothers of this city together 
and tell them all this ?" She replied "it is impossi- 
ble — they would not hear me — I should have to nail 
the doors and windows to keep them — and if they 
did hear, they would not believe." 

It is the women teachers of our common schools 
who must be instructed to become lecturers on health 
in all our school districts and teach mothers how to 
instruct children in all tlie laws of health and the 
dreadful penalties which in certain directions are 
but little known and now threaten the ruin of the 
rising generation. There is no duty more difficult 
than this ; for it is one which if done properly saves 
from danger, and if improperly leads to it. 

If the clergy of this nation will give their power- 



DEDICATION. 

ful influence to promote the aims of this work in 
modes they will more wisely devise than I can sug- 
gest, success will be ensured ; and to them I appeal 
(as I used to do to a beloved father and as I often 
do to dear brothers,) to help me where my own 
strength and courage fail. 

With christian love and respect, 

Yours truly, 

Catharine E. Beecher. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The object of the following pages is to present 
the subject of woman's profession as mother and 
chief educator of our race in connection with the 
present demand that she shall also assume the 
responsibilities of civil government. 

However great or small may be the probabil- 
ities as to the imposition of woman suffrage, it 
is certain that there is just cause for alarm at 
organizations all over the land sending out women 
of talents and benevolence to lecture, and scat- 
tering tracts and newspapers by hundreds of thou- 
sands, advocating principles and measures destruc- 
tive both to the purity and the perpetuity of the 
family state. 

This little volume consists of unpublished ad- 
dresses — all but the first — to meetings of ladies 






INTRODUCTION. 

only, and its design is to meet the false prin- 
ciples and false reasonings on the subject of 
" woman^s rights ^' now working extensive evils 
that are little realized. 

It is offered with the deep conviction that an 
important crisis in our national history is im- 
pending, and that it is the intelligent and con- 
scientious women of our country who eventually 
will decide whether the result shall be beneficial 
or most disastrous. 



AN ADDRESS 

ON 

FEMA.L,E STJFFRA.aE, 

DELIVERED IN THE MUSIC HALL OF BOSTON, IN 
DECEMBER, 1870. 



I APPEAR this evening to present tlie views 
of that large portion of my sex who are opposed 
to such a change of our laws and customs as 
would place the responsibility of civil govern- 
ment on woman. 

This may be done without impugning the 
motives, or the character, or the measures of 
that respectable party who hold the contrary 
position. As in the ph'ysical universe the nice- 
ly-balanced centripetal and centrifugal forces hold 
in steady curve every brilliant orbit, so, in the 
moral world, the radical element, which would 
forsake the beaten path of ages, is held in safe 
and steady course by the conservative ; while 



4 WOMAN SUrFRAGE AND 

tliat, also, is i3reserved from dangerous torpor 
by the antagonistic power. 

And so, while claiming to represent the con- 
servative element, I meet with respect and kind- 
ness my centrifugal friend. 

First, let me state the points in which we 
agree, that we may more clearly appreciate 
those in which we differ. 

We agree, then, on the general principle, that 
woman's happiness and usefulness are equal in 
value to those of man's, and, consequently, that 
she has a right to equal advantages for securing 
them. 

We agree, also, that woman, even in our own 
age and country, has never been allowed such 
equal advantages, and that multiplied wrongs 
and suffering have resulted from this injustice. 

Finally, we agree that it is the right and 
the duty of every woman to employ the power 
of organization and agitation, in order to gain 
those advantages which are given to the one 
sex, and unjustly withheld from the other. 

My object, in this address, is not to discuss 



woman's profession. 5 

the question of woman's natural and abstract 
right to the ballot, nor to point out the evils 
that might follow the exercise of this power, 
nor to controvert the opinions of those advocat- 
ing woman's suifrage in any particular point. 

Instead of this, I propose, first, to present 
reasons for assuming that it must be a very 
long time before woman su&age can be gained; 
so that the evils it is hoped to cure by the 
ballot would continue and increase for a long 
period; and, secondly, to present another method 
for gaining the advantages unjustly withheld ; 
and thus to remedy wrongs which both parties 
are seeking to redress. 

The first reason for believing that the gift 
of the ballot must be long delayed is, that it 
is contrary to the customs of Christian people, 
by which the cares of civil life, and the out- 
door and heavy labor which take a man from 
home, are given to the stronger sex, and the 
lighter labor and care of the family state, to 
woman. 

The more society has advanced in civilization 



6 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

and in Cliristian culture, the more perfectly 
have these distinctwe divisions of responsibility 
for the two sexes been maintained; and in no 
age or country more strictly than in our own. 

Those of us who oppose woman suffrage con- 
cede that there are occasions in which general 
laws' and customs should yield to temporary 
emergencies ; as when, in the stress of family 
sickness, the husband becomes nurse and cook ; 
or, in the extremities of war, the women plow, 
sow, and reap ; and it were well if every boy 
and girl were so trained that they could wisely 
meet such emergencies. 

But while this is conceded, the main question 
is still open, namely. Is there any such emer- 
gency in our national history as demands so 
great a change in our laws and customs as 
would be involved in placing the responsibilities 
of civil government on our whole sex ? For, 
with the gift of the ballot, comes the con- 
nected responsibility of framing wise laws to 
regulate finance, war, agriculture, commerce, 
mining, manufactures, and all the many fields 



woman's profession. 



of man's outdoor labor. And the charge of 
these outdoor responsibilities would be assigned 
bj the ballot ; and not alone to that class of 
women who are demanding woman suffrage, but 
to otcr whole sex. 

For, whenever the time comes that a single 
vote of one woman may decide the most deli- 
cate, the most profound, and the most perilous 
measures of the state and nation, it will be the 
duty of every woman, not only to go to the 
polls, but to vote intelligently and conscientiously. 

It is in view of such considerations that, at 
the present time, a large majority of American 
women would regard the gift of the ballot, not 
as a privilege conferred, but as an act of op- 
pression, forcing them to assume responsibilities 
belonging to man, for which they are not and 
can not be qualified ; and, consequently, with- 
drawing attention and interest from the dis- 
tinctive and more important duties of their sex. 
For the question is not whether a class of 
women, who have no family responsibilities, 
shall take charge of civil government ; but it 



8 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

is whetlier this duty shall be imposed on the 
whole of our sex. With the chivalrous tender- 
ness toward woman so prevalent in our nation, 
this would never be done till at least a ma- 
jority of women ask for it ; and the time must 
be afar off ere such a majority will be found. 
I wish to verify this statement by an extract 
from one of the many letters of sympathy and 
approbation received since it became known that 
I am publicly to present my views on Woman 
Suffrage : 

" My Dear Madam : Though personally a 
stranger, I feel strongly impelled to write and 
thank you for coming before the public in oppo- 
sition to the advocates of woman suffrage. 

" I have no doubt that an exceedingly large 
majority of the educated and thoughtful women 
of the country feel a strong personal repug- 
nance to becommg voters, as well as a convic- 
tion that this proposed innovation, far from 
working a beneficial change in the condition of 
the country, would actually lower the present 



woman's profession. 9 

standard of political morality. But they form a 
class but little accustomed to make tlieir voices 
heard outside of their own social circle, and 
therefore in danger of being overlooked by those 
reformers who, with a thankworthy zeal for 
' woman's rights,' are, as I think, striving to 
perpetrate a great woman's wrong. 

"It is sometimes said that all women ought 
at least to have a chance to vote, if they wish 
it ; but none are ol)liged to do so unless they 
like. And when compliant men have said this, 
they consider themselves magnanimous and chi- 
valrous, and think the whole question happily 
settled. 

" It might be so if we had no conscience. 
But wider privileges mean wider duties. From 
the bottom of my soul I hate the idea of meet- 
ing women at the polls ; and yet, if woman 
suffrage ever becomes a fact, I can not stay 
away. For my fraction of power inevitably 
makes me thus much responsible for the civil 
government of my country. If I may vote, I 
must vote. I have no right, by withholding my 



10 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

vote, to throw its weight into the wrong scale. 
And yet, held back as I am, and must be, 
from the life of the street, the caucus, and 
the primary political meetings, and not more 
by my incapacity for man's work than by 
his incapacity for mine — living chiefly at home, 
because my work is home work — what can I 
know of the fitness of candidates for local of- 
fices, or of the machinery of political parties ?" 

This perspicuous statement expresses the pre- 
sent views of probably nine tenths of the most 
intelligent and conscientious women of our coun- 
try. Were it the question whether the responsi- 
bilities of civil government should be assumed 
by this class of women alone, the risks of an 
affirmative decision would be small. But let us 
consider the other classes that would be included 
in universal woman sufii'age. 

Next to the more intelligent class represented 
by this letter-wi'iter, would come a large body of 
tliose whose generous impulses take the lead, rather 
than the cool deductions of reason and experience. 



woman's profession. 11 

It is this class of entliusia^s tliat would most 
confidently attempt to conduct the affairs of the 
state. 

jN'ext to these would come the great body of 
busy and easy women, who, from pliant kindness 
and confidence, would vote as fathers, brothers, 
and husbands advised. 

Next to these most respectable classes would 
come the superficial, the unreflecting, and the 
frolicsome, to serve only as tools for political 
wire-pullers. 

Then would come the lovers of notoriety, the 
ambitious— the lovers of power — the caterers for 
public ofiices, and the seekers for money. Of 
these, the most unxmncix^led would employ the 
distinctive power of their sex in caucuses, in 
jury-boxes, and in legislative and congressional 
committees; thus adding another to the many 
deteriorating influences of political life. 

Eext would come that vast mass of ignorant 

women whose consciences and votes would be 

controlled by a foreign and domestic priesthood. 

Lastly would come the most degraded and 



12 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

despised, who would like nothing better than to 
insult and oppose those who look down upon 
them with disgust and contempt. 

Lead all these classes to the polls, and the 
result would be a vast increase of the incompe- 
tent and dangerous voters. It would, to a still 
greater extent, place the wealth and intelligence 
of the nation under those without intelligence, 
who, for their own advantage, would lavish 
Wealth on useless schemes, and vote awav the 
property of the industrious to support the indo- 
lent and vicious. In many of our large cities 
we are witnessing the beginning of this impend- 
ing danger. 

Still another reason for such a conclusion is 
the fact that, though the "Woman's Suffrage party 
at present is increasing in numbers, the discus- 
sion it has produced is gradually changing the 
views of many sensible persons who at first were 
its advocates. That has been the case with my- 
self. For, on the first consideration of the mat- 
ter, it seemed right and proper that women 
should have a voice in deciding who should be 



woman's profession. 13 

their rulers and make tlieir laws; and that the 
simple dropping a vote into the ballot-box could 
be done without risk to womanly delicacy, and 
without danger of any kind. This was before 
discussion had revealed the more comprehensive 
bearings of the question, which finally removed 
me, as it has many others, to the opposite side 
of the question. 

If, then, agitation increases the party seeking 
the ballot, and yet discussion is constantly with- 
di-awing large numbers of the more intelligent 
and reflective, the time must be far distant when 
woman sufli-age will be secured. 

Another reason for believing that woman suf- 
frage is afar off is the character of the men who 
appear to favor this change of our political status, 
and also their modes of meeting the question. The 
estimate of women by the other sex depends very 
greatly on the character of the mothers, wives, and 
sisters with whom they have associated, or on the 
character of the female society they most frequent. 
Those who associate with superficial, weak, or 
unprincipled women, form a low opinion of the 



14 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

whole sex which is false and unjust. On the con- 
trary, those associated with the highest class of 
women place a halo of purity, strength, and honor 
on the brow of the whole sex, which is equally 
exaggerated. It is this last class of men who are 
foremost advocates of woman suifrage, and their 
estimate of woman's ability to manage civil 
government is to be taken with considerable 
though honorable deductions. 

Another class of amiable, unreflecting men, hav- 
ing had a chivalrous training, are ready to give the 
" dear creatures " any thing they will please to ask. 

Still another class of kind-hearted men say, " Yes, 
oh ! yes, let them have the ballot and all the duties 
it involves, and they soon will wish to relinquish 
such responsibilities." 

Then there are the political wire-pullers, who 
perceive that by catering to this, which they secret- 
ly deem a folly, they can make it subserve their 
selfish plans. 

Lastly, there is a large number of intelligent and 
patriotic men who have not, as yet, so investigated 
the probable results of so fundamental a change in 



woman's profession. 15 

« 

civil matters as to feel prepared to make any 
practical decision on the question, and so they give 
no decided answers. 

These several classes of amiable and intelligent 
men are those who finally will decide the question, 
and they are the last who would force the resi)onsi- 
bilities of the civil state on an unwilling minority 
of our sex ; much less would they force it on a 
majority who would regard it as an unjust and un- 
chivalrous exercise of power. For this reason it 
seems almost certain that the ballot will not be 
given to American women till it is clear that a ma- 
jority are willing to take such responsibilities ; and 
the time when this assurance can be gained must 
be at a very remote period. 

Another reason for this conclusion is the power- 
ful influences at the command of those of my sex 
who are opposed to this measure. Multitudes of 
women are now quiet and silent because they have 
little fear of danger in this direction. But should 
a time come when the woman suffrage party seem 
near achieving their aim, there would be measures 
instituted the power of which, as yet, is little 



16 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

known or appreciated. For they too would orga- 
nize all over the nation and summon to tlieir aid 
both, the pulpit and the press. All the Catholic 
clergy, to a man, would lend their influence 
against a measure so contrary to the tenets and 
spirit of a church that enforces subordination and 
obedience as prime virtues. Not less decided 
would be the influence of all the Jewish rabbis. 

The Protestant clergy, who have ever been like 
their Master, the sympathizing friends of woman, 
would be the last to enforce new and heavy 
responsibilities on our sex, contrary to the wishes 
even of a small, intelligent, and conscientious 
minority. 

IN'ot less decided are the great majority of the 
conductors of the press; and if an emergency calls 
for it, by the cooperation of such powerful 
auxiliaries, we could bring such an array of peti- 
tions and remonstrances in bulk and respectable 
names as never before entered congressional halls. 

The attempt to force woman suifrage on us by 
making it a political question would also be met 
by a counter-iufiLience that would convince every 



woman's profession. 17 

demagogue that any man or party wliicli forces us 
to the polls will be ostracized by the votes of every 
woman who is thus dragged from her appropriate 
sphere to bear the burdens of the state. 
t Another and the final reason for believing 
female suffrage at a distant future is the proposed 
circuitous and indirect mode of remedying evils 
which could be relieved by a much more direct and 
speedy method. As things now are, men have the 
physical power that can force obedience ; in most 
cases they have the power of the purse, and in all 
cases, they have the civil power. They can not be 
forced by the weaker sex to resign this power. It 
must be sought, then, as the gift of justice and bene- 
volence. / If, then, there are laws and customs that 
we deem unjust and oppressive, the short and com- 
mon sense mode would be to petition the law- 
makers to change these laws according to the rules 
of justice and mercy. Instead of this the plea is, 
" We can not trust you to make laws ; give us the 
ballot, and we will take better care of ourselves 
than you have done or will do." Now, any class of 
men who, after such an implication of their in- 



18 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

telligence and justice, would give tlie ballot to 
woman, would most surely be those most ready to 
redress any wrongs for which the ballot is 
sought. VjVhy should we not rather take the 
shorter and surer mode and ask for the thing 
needed^ instead of the circuitous and uncertain 
mode involved in the ballot? Any man who 
would grant the ballot would grant all for which 
the ballot is sought. 

As one proof of this, we have the changes 
which have been made in the laws of J^ew-York 
State, as reported in a ITew-York paper. The agi- 
tation for women's rights commenced in that State, 
and now its laws give not only as many but more 
advantages to women than to men. For in that 
State, the wife has unlimited control of her own 
property, independently of her husband, while by 
law he must support her and her children. What 
is his is hers^ but what is hers is not his. She may 
be rich and the husband poor, and yet he must pay 
all her debts. Her creditors can seize his property 
to pay her debts, but must leave hers untouched, 
lie is obliged by law to support her ; but however 



woman's peofession. 19 

ricli slie may be, slie is not obliged to support him. 
She may turn her husband out of the house she 
owns, but the law will not sustain the husband in 
such an act. The husband can not compel his wife 
to follow him if he changes residence. She may 
absent herself night and day, and, unless criminal- 
ity is proved, the law gives no redress. At the 
same time, divorce is more easily obtained by a 
woman than a man. 

With such an example before us, will it not be 
wisest to ask for such laws as we need before we 
seek the more uncertain ballot ? 

At the commencement of this discussion, it was 
stated that the parties at issue agree in these 
general principles, namely, that woman's useful- 
ness and happiness are equal in value to man's, and 
consequently that she has a right to equal advan- 
tages for gaining them; that she is unjustly de- 
prived of such equal advantages, and that organi- 
zation and agitation to gain them is her privilege 
and duty. 

The points of difference are as to the nature of 
the advantages of which she is deprived, the con- 



20 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

sequent evils, and the mode of remedy. One party 
regard woman's exclusion from the professions, the 
universities, and the civil offices of men as the 
leading injustice from which most of the evils 
complained of are the result, and that the gift 
of the ballot will prove the panacea for all these 
wrongs. The other party believe the chief cause 
of evils which both are striving to remedy is the 
want of a just appreciation of woman's profession, 
and the want of such a liberal and practical train- 
ing for its duties as men secure for their most 
honored professions. 

Here we again may refer to a patent maxim 
of common sense, which is this: that the more 
difficult and important are any duties, the more 
scientific care and training should be bestowed 
on those who are to perform them. It has been in 
obedience to this maxim that, in Christian coun- 
tries, the highest advantages have been given 
to those men who have charge of the spiritual and 
eternal interests of our race. Most of the uni- 
versities of Europe and of this country were 
founded to educate the clergy. 'Next came the 



woman's pkofession. 21 

training of those who administer laws, and then of 
those who cure the sick. These are named the 
liberal professions y because society has most liberal- 
ly provided for the scientific training of those who 
perform these duties. 

That women need as much and even more 
scientific and practical training for their appro- 
priate business than men, arises from the fact that 
they must perform duties quite as difficult and im- 
portant, and a much greater variety of them. A 
man usually selects one branch of business for a 
son, and, after his school education, secures an 
apprenticeship of years to perfect his practical 
skill ; and thus a success is attained which would 
be impossible were he to practice various trades 
and professions. 

!N"ow let us notice the various and difficult 
duties that are demanded of woman in her ordi- 
nary relations as wife, mother, housekeeper, and 
the mistress of servants. 

First, she has charge of the economies of the 
family state ; for, as the general rule, men are to 
earn the support and women administer these 



22 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

earnings. In this must be included the style in 
which a house shall be prepared and furnished, 
so as best to secure pure air, sunlight, and the 
best arrangement and conveniences for labor. If 
women were scientifically trained in this parti- 
cular, their influence would have saved much 
labor and much expense. But let the graduates 
of our female colleges be questioned as to the 
position and swing of doors to avoid draughts ; or 
of windows, to secure sunlight where most needed ; 
or of chimneys, to secure ventilation and econo- 
mize fuel; or on the most successful modes of 
ventilation ; or on the most economical arrange- 
ment of closets, store-room, and pantry, to save 
time and steps; and it will be found, ordinarily, 
that nothing at all has been done to prepare 
them to answer intelligently such important 
practical questions. 

There is no department of domestic economy 
where there is more enormous waste than in the 
selection and management of fuel. Much science 
is involved in learning what fuel is made of; 
what kinds best furnish warmth without waste ; 



woman's profession. 2B 

what methods waste heat; what methods pre- 
serve it ; what spreads it equally ; what creates 
draughts and thus colds and headaches, and many 
other connected subjects. Having devoted more 
than usual attention to this topic, and especially 
to the proper selection and management of fur- 
naces and cook-stoves, it is my firm belief that 
if I could impart to the housekeepers of our 
country the knowledge I have gained, (and that 
without any help from scientific schools,) it would 
enable them to save millions of money and an 
enormous amount of ill health and discomfort. 

Again, a housekeeper has charge of the selection 
and preparation of the food on which family health 
and* enjoyment so much depend. To prepare her 
for this duty she should be taught what kinds of 
food are most healthful and nutritious; what 
kinds are best for the young and what for the aged ; 
how each should be cooked to secure most nutri- 
ment and least waste ; the relative value of buying 
wholesale or retail ; the best modes of storing food 
and of preserving it from vermin or decay ; what 
dishes are at once economical, comely, and invit- 



24 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ing and how a husband's earnings can secnrc the 
most comfort and enjoyment with the most econo- 
mical outlay. A woman needs training and in- 
struction in this department of her duties as much 
as her sons need similar instruction and training 
in agriculture or watch-making, when that is to be 
their profession. 

Again, the mistress of a family controls the 
selection and making of the clothing and furniture, 
and will be called to decide what is most suitable 
and economical ; what stuffs wear longest ; what 
hold colors best ; what parts wear out soonest, and 
how they can be made to last the longest ; how 
much is needed for each garment ; and what is the 
proper way to cut aiid fit each article ; what is the 
proper way of mending ; what is the most econo- 
mical and easiest mode of washing and ironing; 
and so on through a long list of duties that 
demand judgment, science, and care. 

Again, the health of a family is especially a re- 
sponsibility that rests upon woman. There is no 
such wise and needed physician as a well-instructed 
mother and housekeeper ; not to cure— for that is 



woman's pkofession. 25 

the physician's part, but to prevent — disease, or 
stop it at the starting. Our gravest illnesses come 
from neglected colds, indigestion, and headaches. 

Who first finds out when one is ill, and is best 
prepared to search for the cause % Why should not 
every housekeeper know the first symptoms of 
common illnesses, the cause and the cure % Not 
chiefly in the hospital or by the bedside is a v^rell- 
instructed nurse needed, but by the family fireside, 
where she can observe the first symptoms, give 
early warning, and apply the simple cure. There 
is no technical training so valuable to a woman 
as that which enables her to keep the doctor out of 
the house, and to send for him when he is needed. 

Again, to woman must be committed the charge 
of new-born infants — and of the mothers at the 
most perilous and most anxious period of life, 
and one demanding so much discretion, tender- 
ness, and self-denying labor. Thousands of young, 
uninstructed mothers are sent out of life or made 
suffering invalids from their own ignorance of all 
they most need to know, or from the neglect or 
ignorance of untrained nurses. 



26 WOMAN SUFFKAGE AND 

The departments of practical life, to wMch the 
majority of women are ordained, ought to receive 
the honors and aid of lectures, professorships, en- 
dowments, and scientific treatment ; the same as is 
bestowed to fit men for practical life. The care of 
a house, the conduct of a home, the management 
of children, the instruction and government of 
servants, are as deserving of scientific treatment 
and scientific professors and lectureships as are the 
care of farms, the management of manure and 
crops, and the raising and care of stock. Shall 
man secure for himself endowments, and professors, 
and lectures on stock-raising, the diseases of 
domestic animals, and the laws by which they are 
preserved in health, and woman be denied equal 
advantages for learning the laws by which health, 
beauty, and mental soundness may be secured to 
the more precious children under her care ? 

It is granted by all parties that it is women 
who are to nurse and train the children the first 
years of life, and they must do it either ignorantly 
and blunderingly, or intelligently guided by scien- 
tific knowledge. For this reason every college and 



woman's profession. 27 

higli-scliool for women should have a well-in- 
structed woman professor, whose duty it shall be 
to instruct young women (in the last years Ox 
their education) in all they need to know as wite, 
mother, nurse, and guardian of infancy and child- 
hood. 

For young men we find endowed scientific 
schools to teach them agricultural chemistry, that 
they may learn wisely to conduct a farm ; why 
should not women be taught domestic chemistry 
and domestic philosophy? The more civilization 
advances, the more do complicated contrivances 
multiply for the charge of which women are main- 
ly responsible. The laws that regulate heat, as ap- 
plied in the construction of furnaces, stoves, ranges, 
and grates ; the principles of hydraulics, as applied 
in constructing cisterns, boilers, water-pipes, fau- 
cets, and other multiplied modern conveniences, 
demand scientific and intelligent supervision im- 
possible to a woman untrained in this department 
of her domestic duties. 

Again, young men are provided with lectures 
on political economy, while domestic economy, as 



28 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

yet, lias not been so honored. Most women come 
to the duty of providing for a family utterly 
ignorant of the science of comparative values, and 
of the greater or less economies of the articles they 
are to provide and preserve. 

But the most important of all the departments 
of a woman's profession is one for which no col- 
lege or high-school for women has made any 
proper provision. 

Woman, as mother and as teacher, is to form 
and guide the immortal mind. She, more than 
any one else, is to decide the character of her 
helpless children, both for this and the future 
eternal life. And for this, liberal provision 
should be made ; so that no woman shall finish 
her education till all that science and training 
can do shall be bestowed to fit her for this 
supernal duty. The preparation of yomig min- 
isters for the duties of the church does not 
surpass in importance the training of the min- 
ister of the nursery and school-room. The 
clergyman meets his parishioners two or three 
times a week to train them for an immortal 



WOMAN'S PROFESSION. 29 

existence. But tlie mother and school-teacher 
have their ministry in charge every hour of the 
day, and with a power of influence such as no 
clergyman can command. 

' In this review of the varied and complicated 
duties of a woman's profession, we find that she 
needs not only the general discipline and train- 
ing for the development of mental faculties, but 
a special training for a far greater diversity of 
duties than are ever to be undertaken by men. 
We claim that woman's profession demands such 
very diverse training from the professions of the 
other sex that access to universities for men 
does not meet her most sacred necessities. A 
university education for woman should be as 
diverse from that of man's as are her duties 
and responsibilities. 

We will now notice what has been done to 
prepare young men for their several professions, 
that we may sustain our position, that such ad- 
vantages are unjustly withheld from their sisters, 
and that this has engendered multiplied evils to 
our sex, and thus to the commonwealth. 



30 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

The mode of providing for tlie professions of 
men has been, not to trust chiefly to tuition 
fees for the support of instructors, but to secure 
the highest class of teachers bj endowments 
insuring a salary independent of popular whims 
and changes. By means of such endowment, 
such a division of labor and resjponsibility is se- 
cured that each teacher is responsible for only 
one or two branches of instruction, and to only 
one class, and for only one or two hours each 
day. 

The president of a college teaches only 
one class, and has no care or responsibility as 
to the proper performance of the several pro- 
fessors. Each professor has charge of only one 
class in one or two branches, and is responsible 
for only those branches ; while neither president 
nor any other officer has any control or responsi- 
bility except in his own department. For the 
president is only primus inter pares (fii'st among 
equals) as presiding officer of a faculty, in 
which every question is decided by majority 
vote. He has not (as do principals of most fe- 



woman's profession. 81 

male college^) the selection and direction of all 
the teachers, the supervision of finance and ex- 
penditure, the authority to inspect and control 
in every department, and the regulation of all 
salaries and expenditures for apparatus and 
libraries. 

By this college method, every professor is 
made the honorable and independent controller 
of his own department, responsible to no one 
but the corporation or trustees. By this me- 
thod, each teacher having in charge only one 
or two classes, and a single department, is able 
to devote much time to self-improvement and 
the advancement of his specialty. 

Endowments also render the college perma- 
nent in its course of instruction and in retain- 
ing a permanent faculty, which can never be the 
case in schools that must change with every 
changing principal. 

Endowments also open avenues of honor and 
support to large numbers of young men who 
eventually become professors, or who are stimu- 
lated to exertion by the hope of winning such 



82 TVOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

permanent and honorable positions. "No such 
opening for independence is provided for women. 
Endowments have secured to young men not 
only a thorough training in branches of litera- 
ture and science which enlarge the mental pow- 
ers, but also have served to honor and elevate 
several of the trades and professions to which 
they are devoted, so that they are now on an 
honorable equality with the so-called liberal pro- 
fessions. The scientific schools, the art schools, 
and the schools of technology are fast elevating 
many heretofore degraded professions to equal 
honor with law, medicine, and divinity. The 
more these various arts and professions are made 
honorable by endowments to support learned 
professors, the larger the number of honorable 
and remunerative professions are provided for 
young men; and, as yet, woman (with one or 
two exceptions) has had no such opportuni- 
ties provided. To support such institutions for 
young men, every State in the Union has been 
taxed, and large grants of land made by the 
general government, while individual benefac- 



woman's profession. 33 

tions have been still more abundant. Our old- 
est colleges all count their endowments as val- 
ued from half a million to four and five mil- 
lions each. There are now more than two 
hundred well endowed colleges and scientific 
schools for yoimg men, supporting many hun- 
dred professors. The State of E'ew-York has 
twelve endowed colleges, having doubled the 
number in twenty years. Connecticut has 
three endowed colleges, and four endowed pro- 
fessional schools. Massachusetts has four col- 
leges and six professional schools for young men, 
and other States in similar proportions. 

As a contrast to this liberal provision for young 
men, I may be allowed to narrate some of my own 
experience. When I commenced my profession as 
teacher, the most popular boarding-schools taught 
little except the primary branches, though oc- 
casionally was executed by the pupils a "mourn- 
ing piece," that is, an embroidered tombstone under 
an apparition by courtesy called a weeping willow, 
with a row of darkly- clad weeping friends ap- 
proaching it. I was among the fii'st to introduce 



34 WOMAN SUFFKAGE ANI> 

what are called the higher branches. Mj school 
soon numbered over one hundred ; and yet I had 
r only one room and one assistant, while I had both 
to teach the higher branches and to study them 
myself; not having been taught them in my school 
days. I also had to prepare my teachers, who 
like myself had never been trained for these de- 
partments. And as my school rose in popularity, 
other schools followed the example, so that as 
fast as I trained reliable teachers, they were drawn 
off by the offers of higher salaries. 

Meantime all the responsibilities, which in col- 
leges are divided among the president, the pro- 
fessors, the tutors, and the treasurer, rested on me. 
Ten years of such complicated labor, study, and 
responsibility destroyed health, as it has done for 
multitudes of other women, who have thus toiled 
unaided by any of the advantages given to college 
teachers. 

Ever since that time, I have devoted my income, 
strength, and time to efforts for securing profes- 
sional advantages of education for my sex equal to 
those bestowed on men. It is over forty years that 



woman's profession. 35 

these efforts have been continued. And now, after 
remarkable and unexpected restoration to health, 
the institution I founded so many years ago is 
again committed to my charge. 

In all this period, not a single institution has 
been founded wliich includes in its curriculum 
the com^se of practical training that prepares a 
woman for the complicated responsibilities I have 
enumerated as included in her profession. The 
Mount Holyoke plan does not even aim at any 
thing of this kind, but is only a method of eco- 
nomy to lessen expenditure. Yassar College has 
no endowment to support teachers, and so its 
tuition fees far exceed those of colleges for men. 
ISTor is the industrial training of woman for her 
distinctive profession any part of its aim, while the 
largest portion of the income of that institution goes 
for the support of men instead of women teachers, 
five out of seven professors being men. And the 
excuse for this is, that well-trained female teachers 
can not be found, and so more highly educated men 
must be taken. But if woman had received the 
advantages given to men, most of these honora- 



36 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ble and remunerative positions would have been 
hers. 

The fact that men have been so much more 
highly educated in literature and science than 
women, causes the unjust discrimination in giving 
men the most honorable and remunerative posi- 
tions even in female schools, where women equal or 
surpass them as successful teachers ; so also in the 
comparatively unjust wages given to them in 
public schools. 

The history of some of the most prominent 
female institutions shows that women are equal if 
not superior to men, in ability to educate their own 
sex, even when so little has been done for them 
and so much for men. For example, about the 
time 1 commenced my school, Mrs. "Willard pe- 
titioned the Legislature of New- York to bestow 
some endowments on her flourishing institution, but 
without success; and yet without any such aid 
that institution has carried out a high course of 
literary education for woman, has had uninterrupted 
success, and still offers equal advantages with most 
female colleges where college-trained men are the 



woman's profession. S7 

chief recipients of the income, and are chief 
managers. 

The Ingham University, of Central New- York, 
was founded by two women, and when it numbered 
over two hundred, sought endowments in vain. A 
man was then placed at its head, hoping thus to 
gain endowments; but under his administration 
the institution ran down, and was restored to 
prosperity only by restoration to woman's care. 

The institution I founded at Hartford has always 
run down with college-educated men as principals, 
and flourished most under the charge of women. 

The Milwaukee Female College, established by 
my influence, rose to prosperity under women, 
failed under a man, and was restored to prosperity 
by a woman. 

The Mount Holyoke Female Seminary was 
founded by a woman, and has been sustained forty 
years by women alone. In all these cases, the men 
had a college education, and the women gained an 
education chiefly by unaided personal efforts. I 
think similar illustrations can be found all over the 
nation. 



38 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

It is the unvarying testimony of the supervisors 
of public schools that women teachers are equal to 
men in ability and success, and yet to men, as the 
general rule, are given the best places and the 
largest salaries. While so many avenues to wealth 
and honor are open to men and so few to women, 
all will allow, that this is neither just nor generous, 
and if women can do so well at such disadvantage, 
what would they do if equal in privileges ? 

To illustrate still further the unjust discri- 
mination in educational advantages, I will state 
that in Hartford, close beside my institution, is a 
college founded at nearly the same time, the num- 
bers being about the same as in my school. The 
president teaches only one or two hours a day, and 
has no responsibility for any department except 
his own. The college treasurer has all the care of 
the finances, and, having endowments for this pur- 
pose, pays salaries to the president and ^yo or six 
other teachers which would provide a house and 
support for a family to each. There are only four 
classes, and each teacher is required to instruct only 
one or two hours a day, having the remaining time 



woman's profession, 89 

for self-improvement and for literary labor to add 
to his income. 

In the same city is a theological seminary with 
only twenty-five young men.* For them are pro- 
vided spacious accommodations, with furniture fre- 
quently provided by generous women. "Women also 
are among the most liberal founders of those en- 
dowments, valued at nearly or quite half a million, 
by which four professors and their families are 
supported and the board and expenses of a good 
portion of the pupils are paid. In Middletown is 
another endowed theological seminary, where ten 
instructors are provided for only thirty-six stu- 
dents. At New-Haven is another endowed theolo- 
gical seminary, where six instructors are employed 
to teach fifty-two young men, and so endowed that 
four professors and their families are supported 
by funds. And in all these cases, each professor 
teaches only one or two hours a day in only 
one or two branches. And in more than half 
the States of our Union, are similar institutions 



* These statistics are taken from the Report of the National Bureau 
of Education for 1870. 



40 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

to train young men for churcli ministries, a 
large portion of them largely endowed by 
women ; while not even one has yet been 
established to train woman for her no less 
sacred ministry. 

When I took charge of the Hartford Female 
Seminary, this fall, the trustees and former 
principal had established a course of study, 
and pupils were preparing to graduate as in 
past time ; while many reasons were urged for 
making no great changes. 

The list of branches to be taught, as ex- 
hibited in the circular, is no larger than is 
common in many women high-schools and col- 
leges, each one requiring a text-book, and 
reads thus: Spelling, reading, writing, gram- 
mar, arithmetic, higher arithmetic, algebra, 
history of the United States, physiology, phy- 
sical geography, geometry, natural philosophy, 
chemistry, astronomy, mental philosophy, Butler's 
Analogy of E'atural and Revealed Religion, 
aesthetics, English literature, history of Greece, 
history of Rome, philology, ancient and modern 



woman's profession. 41 

history, composition, natural history, history of 
England, history of France, botany, geology, 
rhetoric, trigonometry, moral philosophy, history 
of literature, history of arts and sciences, Latin, 
Greek, French, German, Italian, Spanish, draw- 
ing, painting in water-colors, painting in oil, 
vocal music, instrumental music, and gym- 
nastics; forty-four in the whole. 

For all these I am responsible to select 
teachers, to examine text-books, to decide on 
the modes of teaching, and to see that all de- 
partments are administered properly. 

I can not carry out all these without at 
least seven English teachers, and four or five 
for the languages and accomplishments. And 
in arranging classes in so many branches, these 
teachers, on an average, must teach four or five 
hours a day, and have charge of six or seven 
classes in nearly as many different studies. 

Though tuition charges have ever been larger 
than young men pay in colleges, in my former 
experience forty years ago, I could not retain 
the best teachers and furnish apparatus and ad- 



4:2 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

vantages needed, only by nsing the whole in- 
come, except what I paid for my own board 
and my very economical personal expenses. And 
now, the income from one hundred pupils would 
not save me from embarrassing debt had I not 
other resources. 

If I worked iny teachers at the risk of 
their health, and employed those of hum- 
bler qualifications, I might, perhaps, make a 
small profit, but not otherwise. And as fast 
as teachers are trained, so as to be most va- 
luable, (as in my earlier experience,) they will 
leave for posts offering higher pay and less 
labor, l^either Mrs. Stowe, nor myself, nor any 
of the most highly qualified ladies of our coun- 
try, could take charge of such an institution 
without a sacrifice of an income counting by 
thousands. Will not a time come when ladies, 
the most highly qualified to educate their own 
sex, shall receive such advantages and compen- 
sation for these duties as now are exclusively given 
to men? My extensive acquaintance with ladies 
of this class all over the land enables me to 



woman's profession. 4S 

predict an abundant supply of liiglily-trained 
educators to tlie duties of our sex, if the appro- 
priate facilities, such as college professors ob- 
tain, were offered to them. But to take such 
a post as I now occupy, or to become a hard- 
working, ill-paid subordinate, or to become a 
family assistant, would not tempt them from 
present advantages of usefulness, independence, 
and comfort. 

The present agitation as to woman's rights 
and wrongs is the natural and necessary result 
of the want of appreciation and neglect of the 
claims and duties of the family state. It is the 
manifest design of our Creator that each man 
should seek a wife and establish a family. And 
the family state has two ends to be accomplished ; 
one is the increase and perpetuity of our race, 
and the other is its education and training; not 
chiefly to enjoy this life, but mainly to form a 
character that will secure endless happiness in 
the life to come. 

The distinctive feature of the family state is, 
the training of a small nmiiber hy self-sacrificiiig 



44 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

lahoT cmd love. Abraham, the friend of God, 
and the great model of faith and obedience 
to both Jews and Christians, was not allowed to 
have a child of his own till he had trained six 
hundred servants, each man dwelling in his tent 
with a family of his own, forming a religious 
community that obeyed the true God. This 
shows that it was not for personal gratification 
as the chief end that God instituted the family, 
and that those who are childless may have as 
great a work to perform as the parental. 

But the more om^ nation has advanced in 
wealth and civilization, the more have the labors 
and the duties of the family state been shunned. 
Many virtuous young men are withheld from it 
from the incompetence and the extravagant habits 
and tastes of those they would otherwise seek for 
wives. Another class is withheld by guilty courses 
that destroy the hope of family love and purity.. 
Another large class shun the toil, self-denial, and 
trials of married life, and prefer their ease and 
the many other enjoyments wealth will secure. 

To these add the hmidi-eds of thousands of 



woman's pkofession. 45 

young men who perished in our destructive war, 
and the emigration to new settlements where 
earlj man-iage is impracticable, and as the con- 
sequence, the census shows hundreds of thousands 
of women who can never commence the family 
state as wife and mother. This is the great 
emergency that agitates society and forms the 
chief moral problem of oiu- age. The question 
in its simplest form is this, What is to be done 
to secure the highest usefulness and happiness of 
woman as a sex, when marriage and the family 
state are more and more passing away? Our 
customs and our laws are all framed on the 
assumption that women are to be supported by 
husbands to rear up families; and yet marriage 
and the family state are more and more avoided. 
And what is the remedy to be sought ? Will the 
ballot relieve this difficulty? Can any laws be 
enforced that will oblige men to marry? and if 
not, what are we to do to meet the emergency? 
In reply, I will first state some important facts 
developed here in Massachusetts, where well- 
educated marriageable women most abound; not 



46 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

in employments for which God designed them, 
but in shops and mills and employment detri- 
^mental both to health and morals. 

The report of the Massachusetts Board of 
State Charities states that the present mode of 
collecting special classes of the helpless, the un- 
fortunate, and the \dcious into great establish- 
ments, managed by paid agents, is not the best 
method to secure their physical, moral, and social 
improvement, and that it involves many unfortu- 
nate influences. 

Then it is suggested that the better way 
would be to scatter these helpless and un- 
fortunate ones in families of Christian people. 
]N"ow, as before stated, the family is God's mode 
of training our race to self-denying love and 
labor ; and the Christian family, in contrast to 
the worldly, is the one in which a small number 
is given to one or two, who have the spirit of 
Christ and live as he lived, to labor for others, 
and not for self-indulgent ease and worldly en- 
joyments. 

Hundreds of Massachusetts women have this 



woman's pkofession. 47 

spirit of Christ and are j)ining for this ministry, 
which is as sacred and as effective as that of the 
chiu'ch. Thousands of neglected orphans, or worse 
than orphans, abound on every side. The home- 
less, the aged, the weak, the sick, and the sinful, 
also, are all around us. 

And how can truly Christian homes be es- 
tablished where there are no young children 
to train, no aged persons to watch over, no 
invalids to nurse, and no vicious to reclaim ? 
Why are orphans thrown upon the cold world, 
and why are the aged held in a useless, suffer' 
ing life except to furnish opportunities for Chris- 
tian love and self-sacrifice ? Here is the problem 
for Massachusetts. Let her do for her daughters 
as liberally as for her sons, and it will speedily 
be solved. 

There are multitudes of women in unwomanly 
employments, who, if educated to the scientific 
duties of a nurse for young infants and their 
mothers, with all the advantages of high culture 
given to medical men, and with the social honor 
accorded to high cultm'e, would be greeted in 



48 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

many a family, be souglit as the most welcome 
benefactors of the family state, and take a superior 
position to that now given to the teachers of 
music, French, and drawing. 

Again, there is no agent of the family state 
who has a more constant, daily influence on 
the character of childhood than the one who 
shares with a mother the cares of the nursery. 
And yet where shall we find an institution in 
which young women are properly trained for 
these sacred ofiices ? The heir of an earthly 
kingdom is surrounded by the noblest and the 
wisest, who deem the humblest office an honor 
in his service. But the young heir of an im- 
mortal kingdom, whose career, not for a few 
earthly days, but for eternal ages, is to be de- 
cided in this life, to whom is he committed, 
and where and lioio were they trained for these 
supernal duties? The bogs of Ireland — the 
shanty tenement-houses — the plantation huts — the 
swarming, poverty-stricken wanderers from Eu- 
rope, China, and Japan are coming to reply ! 

The influx of wealth, the building of ex- 



woman's profession. 49 

pensive houses demanding many servants, and 
tlie increasing demands of social life, are 
changing mothers from the educational training 
of their own offspring to the training and care 
of servants ; and yet, in our boarding-schools 
and colleges for women, how much is done to 
train them for such duties? 

When I read the curriculum of Yassar and 
other female colleges, methinks their graduates 
by such a course as this will be as well prepared 
to nurse the sick, train servants, take charge of 
infants, and manage all departments of the family 
state, as they would be to make and regulate 
chronometers, or to build and drive steam- 
engines. 

The number of branches introduced into fe- 
male schools has nearly doubled since I com- 
menced my school, while the real advantages 
gained by this increase have been lessened. 
And as yet little or no progress has been made 
in preparing women for the practical duties of 
their profession. The expenses of most popu- 
lar boarding-schools confine their advantages to 



50 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

the rich, who do not aim to have daughters 
trained to do woman's work, or to earn their 
own independence. 

The evils that women suffer from the want 
of proper training for their appropriate duties, 
few can fully realize. The Working-Woman's 
Union, in New- York City, reports that of the 
13,000 applicants for work, not one half were 
qualified to any kind of work in a proper man- 
ner. The societies for aiding poor women report 
as their greatest embarrassment that but few can 
sew decently, or do any other work properly. 
The heads of dress-making establishments com- 
plain that few can be found who can be trusted 
to complete a dress properly, and say that those 
properly trained find abundant work and good 
pay. The demand for good mantua-makers in 
country towns is universal. In former days, 
plain sewing was taught in schools; but now 
it is banished, and mothers are too pressed with 
labor, or too negligent, to supply the deficiency. 

In the middle classes, unmarried women and 
widows feel that they are an incumbrance on 



woman's pkofession. 51 

fathers and brotliers, who, from pride or duty, 
feel bound to support them, and yet no open- 
ings offer for them to earn an independence. 
Thousands of ladies of good families and good 
education, with aged mothers or young children 
to support, can find either no employments or 
those offering starvation wages. The school or 
the boarding-house is the chief alternative for 
such persons ; and yet every opening for a 
school-teacher has scores, and sometimes hun- 
dreds of applicants. 

The factory-girls, and those in shops and 
stores, must stand six, eight, or ten hours a day 
in bad air and unwholesome labor. The influx 
of ignorant and uncleanly foreigners into our 
kitchens, and the exactions of thriftless young 
housekeepers from boarding-schools, drive self- 
respecting American women from many of our 
kitchens. 

Meantime, in our more wealthy classes, those 
who have generous and elevated aspirations feel 
that they have no object in life — no profession, 
like their brothers, by which they can secure 



52 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

their own independence, and aid in elevating 
others. Our young girls are trained only for 
marriage ; and when that fails, fathers and bro- 
thers forbid their earning an independence, as 
implying disgrace to themselves. 

The remedy for all this would soon be 
achieved were woman's work elevated to an 
honorable and remunerative science and profes- 
sion, by the same methods that men have taken 
to elevate their various professions. The estab- 
lishment of Woma/rCs Universities^ in which 
every girl shall secure as good a literary train- 
ing as her brothers, and then be trained to 
some profession adapted to her taste and capa- 
city, by which she can establish a home of her 
own, and secure an independent income — this is 
what every woman may justly claim and labor 
for, as the shortest, surest, and safest mode of 
securing her own highest usefulness and happi- 
ness, and that of her sex ; a mode which de- 
mands only what, if once achieved as practica- 
ble, every intelligent and benevolent man would 
approve and delight to promote. 



woman's pkofession. 53 

Here I feel bound to express dissent from 
the frequent implication that men are alone re- 
sponsible for the present disabilities and wrongs 
of woman, owing to a selfish and tyrannical 
spirit not existing in my sex. There is no na- 
tion in the world, and never has been one, in 
which all classes of men were 'so trained to 
honor, protect, and provide for women as in our 
own. On the contrary, women with us have 
been trained to expect care and protection, and 
not to a chivalrous and tender regard for their 
own sex, such as has been cultivated in brothers, 
fathers, and husbands. 

Moreover, women are trained to economy in 
details more than men, and have not the free 
use of money as have those who earn family 
support. As a conseqiience, when the raising 
of the wages of a school-teacher, or the charges 
of a seamstress, or the pay of a cook is dis- 
cussed, it is often the case that women are no 
more ready than men thus to increase the ad- 
vantages of their sex. 

In the matter of educational benefactions, wo- 



54: WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

men have given liberally to endow colleges and 
professional schools for men; and it is a re- 
markable fact that, if we except Roman Catho- 
lic nunneries, I know not of even one case in 
this nation where a woman is supported as an 
educator by an endowment given by a woman. 

As previously indicated, the main causes of 
the evils that now press on my sex are the 
want of appreciation of the honor and duties of 
the family state, and the decrease of marriage, 
owing to war, emigration, self-indulgence, and 
vices consequent on increase of civilization and 
wealth. 

There is every evidence that men are as 
sympathetic, and as anxious to devise reme- 
dies for the evils complained of, as are our 
own sex ; and the impolitic and unjust manner 
in which they have been treated by some who 
are generously laboring for the relief and eleva- 
tion of woman, is greatly to be regretted. In 
all my past efforts, I have depended mainly on 
the powerful influence of my sex in gaining what 
was sought; for I believe there is no benevolent 



woman's profession. 55 

plan, wliich is so approved by judicious and be- 
nevolent women as to secure their earnest ef- 
forts, which will not receive from fathers, bro- 
thers, and husbands all that is sought. My only 
difficulty in the past has been to secure such ap- 
preciation from my sex of the honor and duties 
of the family state, of the need of scientific and 
practical training for these duties, as would 
secure their earnest attention, influence, and ef- 
forts. 

Wliile I would urge these views on the atten- 
tion of all women who have any influence, I beg 
leave to suggest other modes by which the same 
ends may be promoted. Thus, every cultivated 
woman who dignifies domestic labor, by living 
in such a style as enables her to work herself, 
and to train her sons and daughters to work 
with her, is a co-laborer in this beneficent en- 
tei'prise. Every woman who goes to her kitchen 
in the spirit of Christ, by self-denying efforts to 
train her servants to intelligence, honesty, and 
benevolence, is another blessed laborer on the 
same field. Every young lady who seeks to ini- 



56 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

part some of her advantages to those who labor 
in her service will be preparing to hear from their 
and her Lord, " Inasmuch as ye did it to these 
the least of my brethren, ye did it to me." 
Every school-teacher who trains her pupils to 
value home labor, and to learn to do all wo- 
man's proper work in the best manner, is 
also a minister of good to the family state. 
Every woman who uses her influence to intro- 
duce sewing into public schools, or to estab- 
lish sewing-schools among the poor, is another 
co-laborer for the same high aim. Every woman 
who can bring the views here presented to the 
notice of wealthy and influential men and wo- 
men, may be sowing seed that will yield rich 
fruits even for ages to come, by endowments se- 
cured through such quiet influences. 

A Woman^s University^ that will realize the 
ideal aimed at, may, perhaps, come by no sud- 
den growth, but by many experiments in dif- 
ferent fields and diverse departments, each aid- 
ing to advance every other, till all eventually 
will be combined in a harmonious and perfected 



woman's peofession. 67 

result. And for tliis consummation my good 
Mend and opponent is as ready to labor as 
those of ns who have not her courage and 
hopes as to the results of woman suffrage. 

I stated that I have resumed the charge of 
the seminary I founded forty years ago, to 
teach the higher branches, with Mrs. Stowe, 
then, as now, my associate. We began when 
women were trained to domestic labor, and al- 
most nothing else. We have seen the pendu- 
lum swing to the other extreme, till, both in 
families and schools, women are taught the 
higher branches, and almost nothing else. "We 
now begin at the other end, and, by the aid 
and counsel of the judicious women of Hart- 
ford, we hope to set an example of a woman's 
university which shall combine the highest in- 
tellectual culture with the highest practical skill 
in all the distinctive duties of womanhood. 

Our good friends of the women suffrage cause 
often liken their agitation to that which ended 
the slavery of a whole race doomed to unre- 
quited toil for selfish, cruel masters. When so 



58 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

manj men are toiling to keep daughters, wives, 
and mothers from any kind of toil, it is diffi- 
r cult to trace the resemblance. 

Moreover, we of the other side are believers 
in slavery, and we mean to establish it all over 
the land. We mean to force men to resign 
their gold, and even to forge chains for them- 
selves with it ; and when we have trained their 
fair and rosy daughters, we will enforce a 
" Pink and Wliite Tyranny " more stringent 
than any other earthly thraldom. And we will 
make our slaves work, and work from early 
dawn to dark night, under the Great Task- 
master, the Lord of love and happiness, until 
every one on earth shall fear him, as " the be- 
ginning of wisdom ;" and then " do justly, love 
mercy, and walk humbly with God," as the 
whole end and perfection of man. 

For want of time, only a part of this address was cffelivcred at 
the Boston Music Hall. Mrs. Livermore followed, and at Note A 
are remarks in reply to some of hers. What follows will present 
further views ou the subject of Woman's Profession. 



woman's profession. 59 

After resigning the charge of the Hartford 
Female Seminary, many circumstances combined 
to give me unusual facilities for observing 
educational influences in various institutions for 
both sexes. 

Continued ill health led to extensive travels, 
and to protracted visits to a widely dispersed 
family and to former pupils settled in every 
section of the country. My father was president 
of a theological seminary, and my brother-in-law 
has been professor in two colleges and one 
theological seminary. One brother was vale- 
dictorian and tutor at Yale, and then president 
of one of the first Western colleges. Six brothers 
were educated in ^yg diflerent colleges, and thir- 
teen nephews were students in six different col- 
leges. Thirty-four nieces and nephews have been 
connected with a great number of different board- 
ing-schools as scholars or teachers, while several 
hundred of my former pupils have been teachers 
or pupils in almost every State of the Union, 
and have extensively reported to me their ex- 
periences and observations. 



60 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

I have also been connected with two organi- 
zations for establishing schools and female col- 
leges in such a waj as to make it a part of my 
duties to select teachers for schools and to or- 
ganize faculties for large female institutions. 

These opportunities, extended over a period of 
nearly forty years, have secured principles and 
conclusions of such importance as warrants not 
only general statements, but some details to 
illustrate. 

A fundamental principle thus gained is, that 
the school should be an appendage of the family 
state, and modeled on its primary principle, which 
is, to train the ignorant and weah hy self-sacri- 
ficing labor and love; and to hestow the most on 
the weakest^ the most undeveloj>ed, and the most 
sinful. 

It is exactly the opposite course to which 
teachers are most tempted. The bright^ the good, 
the industrious are those whom it is most agreeable 
to teach, who win most affection, and who most 
promote the reputation of a teacher and of a 
school or college. To follow this principle, there* 



woman's profession. 61 

fore, demands more clear views of duty and more 
self-denying benevolence than ordinarily abound. 

Moreover, the common practice of schools and 
colleges is, after a certain amount of trial, to turn 
out those who are too dull to reach a given line of 
scholarship, or too mischievous to conform to rules. 
It is assumed that the interests of the more intelli- 
gent and docile are to override those of the stupid 
and disobedient, and that schools and colleges are 
not to adopt the great principle illustrated in the 
story of the prodigal son, the strayed lamb, and the 
heavenly joy over one that was lost more than 
over the ninety and nine that went not astray. 

The results of attempts to carry out this divine 
principle in school management, in my earlier 
years, were very encouraging. The frequent 
teachers' meetings were made the means of dis- 
covering the intellectual and moral deficiencies of 
each pupil, and then the difficult cases were ap- 
portioned to the care and watch of the several 
teachers, according to their adaptation to the duty 
assigned. Each was to consult and devise methods, 
report to me, and to receive counsel from me as 



62 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

to further measures. A few specific cases will 
illustrate some results. 

For example, one of our best pupils and very 
intelligent in certain directions, was reported as 
utterly incapable of understanding the reasoning 
process in geometry. After experiments for more 
than a year, tliis pupil became not only one of 
our best mathematical scholars, but one of our 
most successful teachers in that study. 

In another case, the pupil was one of a numerous 
class that have imagination and fancy undeveloped 
and apparently wanting, having little or no appre- 
ciation of poetry, fine writing, or works of ima- 
gination. A long course of discipline and practice 
so developed these dormant powers that this pupil 
not only became an admirer and critic of poetry 
and fine writing, but presented, as her closing 
public exercise, a specimen of poetry, devised and 
completed without aid, which would favorably 
compare with half of that which is written and 
admired in our current literature. 

In other cases, in my school and among my 
friends, I have noticed that, while some children 



woman's profession. 63 

have all the mental faculties equally developed, 
others appear to possess small capacities, except in 
one or two directions, which in some cases are 
prominent and in others so undeveloped as to 
appear wanting. 

For example, the son of a dear friend had been 
trained by good teachers and sent to a first-class 
college, where every ordinary method was employed 
to carry him through with at least moderate respec- 
tability, and all proved an utter failure. The young 
man was then placed with a good private teacher, 
who, after repeated experiments, ascertained that 
in certain directions the mental faculties were above 
mediocrity, but in points not reached by college 
training. Another method was adopted, and the 
result was, that the young man became distin- 
guished in one branch of practical science, and 
eventually a popular and successful professor in 
a scientific school. 

In treating both intellectual and moral defi- 
ciencies, great attention and care are demanded, 
so as not to deal with the willing but weak as 
with the careless or mischievous. Both efibrts 



64 WOMAN SUFFKAGE AND ' 

demand the labor of self-sacrificing love, and the 
rewards for such efforts have been witnessed in 
such abundance as to cause great regret that so 
seldom our higher schools and colleges aim at 
such results. 

Another very important principle, especially in 
the training of women, is, that the duties of the 
family state, as performed when parents and 
children are united in domestic labors, have a direct 
and very decided infiuence in training the intel- 
lectual powers. 

In such families, the first-born, especially if a 
daughter, begins almost in infant days to aid the 
mother in the care of the younger. Discretion, 
quickness, invention, and many other faculties 
are cultivated in the care of the little one, in 
regulating its caprices and controlling its mis- 
chievous impulses. She learns to wash and dress 
a younger child, to execute contrivances for its 
amusement, to regulate its habits, and to aid as 
a teacher in its first school lessons. She is trained 
to sew, mend, and to make family clothing, and 
then to aid in teaching these arts to the younger. 



r'o 



WOMAN'S PROFESSION. 65 

The first rudiments of culture in the fine arts 
commence when assisting in ornamenting garden 
and parlor with flowers and with various con- 
trivances. She learns to cook food, and to un- 
derstand the varieties and the modes of preserva- 
tion. And so of many other household duties 
which demand quickness of apprehension, discre- 
tion, energy, and perseverance. It is an uncon- 
scious intellectual training, usually enforced by 
limited means, and insuring benefits which the 
offspring of the rich rarely enjoy. 
, It is on this principle that Frobel arranged his 
/ system of the Kindergarten, which develops many 
mental faculties and trains to intellectual exercises 
before book knowledge is sought, chiefly by exer- 
cises that cultivate taste, ingenuity, contrivance, 
and skill in the use of the hand and eye. 

The early training in my own personal and 
family history is a remarkable illustration of this 
principle. This was at a time when book-learning 
for the young was at its lowest stage. The whole 
of my childhood was a play-spell, where my chief 
contrivances were to avoid all kinds of confine- 



66 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ment to study, or any kind of intellectual taxation, 
except in practical employments, for which happily 
I had a decided taste. 

The death of a wise and tender mother at six- 
teen, and the consequent responsibilities that came 
on the eldest of eight children, still further de- 
veloped the intellectual powers which are culti- 
vated in domestic employments. But school duties 
were never relished, except as opportunities of 
furnishing merriment and various amusing contri- 
vances for escaping study. 'No discipline by book 
knowledge was gained, and no reading attempted 
except in works of imagination. 

It was not till school-days were over, that the 
discipline of sorrow, and the consequent forces 
of religion, sobered an exuberant nature and led 
to preparation for the office of a teacher. 

Then, for the first time, commenced a train- 
ing in book knowledge under the care of a col- 
lege-trained brother, and then a fcAV months ac- 
complished what, with most school-girls, demands 
as many years. And this speed and success were 
secured by aid of faculties developed and strength- 



woman's profession. 67 

ened chiefly hj domestic training, together with 
the conversation and intellectual influence of the 
parents and family friends who were my edu- 
cators. 

The mental history of these family friends is an 
additional illustration of this principle. My father 
had a college education ; my mother and an aunt, 
who was a member of our family, had only that 
of a country home, when reading, writing, and 
arithmetic were the only branches in children's 
schools. My mother had a natural taste for pro- 
found investigation, and, with no aid but a small 
encyclopaedia, performed some remarkable mathe- 
matical calculations where my father was helpless. 
But apparently she had no talent for poetry or 
fine writing, though having a high appreciation 
of both. On the contrary, my aunt was a fine 
writer, and composed |)oetry of a high order. Both 
the ladies were extensive readers of the best 
English classics, much more so than my father. 
And now in my recollections of home discussions, 
and of the admiration universally accorded to my 
mother's intellectual gifts, I should say that by 



68 WOMAN SUFFKAGE AND 

the common school, by domestic duties, by Eng- 
lish literatm'e, and by the sciences studied in one 
small encyclopedia and two or three other scientific 
books, my mother was, if not superior, fully equal 
to my father in mental power and culture. And 
in fine writing and most aesthetic developments 
my aunt was superior to both, though she was 
their inferior in several other directions. 

Moreover, five of my father's sons were trained 
in the best colleges, while his daughters all knew 
little or nothing of the chief branches included 
in the college course. And yet the d6mestic 
training of the daughters and their more ex- 
tensive reading, as I view it, made them fully 
equal to my brothers in intellectual develop- 
ment. 

Similar observations met me in general society 
when comparing the mental development of sisters 
having only a common school education with that 
of college-trained brothers, and this at all periods 
and in every direction. And it is in view of such 
multiplied illustrations that I understand how it is 
that women, with much fewer advantages of classic 



woman's pkofession. 69 

and matliematical training than college graduates 
enjoy, prove better educators than men for children 
and for the more mature of their own sex. 

Here I wish it to be understood, that my aim 
in remarks on colleges is not to present their 
advantages or deficiencies, except so far as they 
are influencing female institutions to the same 
courses of study and organization. I am not 
qualified to advise as to institutions for men ; but 
the profession and pursuits of women as a sex 
are to be so widely diverse from those of men 
that they should secure as diverse methods of 
training. 

I regard the effort to introduce women into 
colleges for young men as very undesirable, and 
for many reasons. That the two sexes should be 
united, both as teachers and pupils, in the same 
institution seems very desirable, but rarely in 
early life by a method that removes them from 
parental watch and care, and the protecting influ- 
ences of a home. 

There will always be exceptional cases when 
childi'en have no suitable parents or guardians; 



70 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

while at a maturer period, after the principles and 
habits are largely solidified, there are advantages 
in sending a child from home. The true method, 
at the immature periods of life, is the union of 
the home and the school in protecting from dan- 
gers and in forming good habits and princii^les. 

I have repeatedly resided in the immediate 
vicinity of boarding-schools for boys, embracing 
the children of my relatives or intimate friends, 
and never without wonder and distress at the 
risks to some and the ruin to others constantly 
going on. Such institutions always have had in- 
mates shrewd and often malignant, while the rash 
cm-iosity of youth is ready to meet any danger. 

"Withdrawn from parents and sisters, and 
all home influences, the young boy is lodged, 
often in isolated dormitories or in negligent pri- 
vate families, with class-mates of all kinds of 
habits. And so tobacco, creating an unnatural 
thirst for other exciting stimulants, is secretly 
introduced; then alcoholic drinks; then the most 
gross and licentious literature ; and all so secretly 
that teachers can not meet the evil. I have known 



woman's profession. 71 

these results repeatedly in schools under the most 
careful, pious, and celebrated teachers. 

Thus, at the age most susceptible and most 
dangerous, the young boy is taken from mother 
and sisters and the safe guardianship of a home, 
and amid such perils committed to strangers who, 
with nmltitudinous pupils and cares, can give no 
special care to any one child. 

Another general principle attained by my experi- 
ence is, that both quickness of percex^tion and reten- 
tion -of memory depend very greatly on the degree 
of interest excited. It is not the most learned teacher 
that always has most success in imparting perma- 
nent knowledge. As an illustration, when I com- 
menced teaching Latin, it was under the care of a 
very accurate and faithful brother, who stood first 
in scholarship in Yale as valedictorian. I was then 
only a few pages ahead of my scholars in the Liber 
Primus, and yet, when they had finished miost of 
Yirgil and selections from Cicero, this brother and 
several other examiners said that they had never 
seen any classes of boys superior to my class in accu- 
rate and complete scholarship. 



72 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

Even in the pronunciation of tlie French, I have 
found that it was not the best educated teacher, 
speaking with the purest Parisian accent, who was 
most successful, but rather a lady whose enthusiasm 
and perseverance and carefulness would not allow 
a single syllable to be mispronounced by her pupils. 
This explains how it is that women with less edu- 
cation so often prove more successful than men in 
managing female institutions. 

By this same general principle of quickening in- 
tellect by exciting interest, I learned the importance 
of educating every young girl with some practical 
aim, by which, in case of poverty, she might support 
herself ; and also, of selecting for this end some 
pursuit suited to her natural tastes and character. 
To study what is liked and with the hope of thus 
securing some agreeable and substantial advantage 
in future life more than doubles the interest, and 
thus quickens and exalts the intellectual powers. 

In this view of the case, it became an important 
inquiry as to which of, the employments and studies 
of our higher female seminaries could be made 
available in securing a remunerative profession to a 



woman's profession. 73 

woman, and one that would be suitable for her sex. 
Here, again, I may be allowed to introduce some of 
my own experience as guiding to a conclusion, at 
least in one particular. 

All through my childhood, my father daily read 
the Bible, in course, at family prayers, and when his 
inquisitive children asked questions as to matters of 
delicacy, they were told that the Bible was given 
by God to instruct men in all their duties, and that 
some things were not for children to know till they 
were men and women ; that this inquiry was about 
things they could not understand, and that it was 
wrong to try to do so. 

After such wise training, my first experience as a 
teacher of Latin was to a class of young girls as 
ignorant as myself of all the wickedness of the 
world; and then I was plied with questions I 
could not answer except by aid of a brother; 
when to my dismay and disgust I found the 
worst vices of heathenism, and those most likely 
to tempt young boys, made respectable and attrac- 
tive by the charms of classic poetry, and forming 
a part of a boy's training for college. 



74: WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

And here I would ask why it has come to pass 
that the Bible, in its original Greek, is turned out 
of the college course of most of our leading col- 
leges, (for it formerly was required,) while the vul- 
garity and vice of heathenism are preserved and 
made attractive in fitting boys for college ? Is it 
not time for woman to have a more decided 
ministry in training young boys for their college 
life? Should not women be trained in Latin 
and Greek, so that mothers and sisters thus taught 
could fit young boys for college, instead of send- 
ing them at the most perilous age away from the 
watch and care of a home and all female influence, 
to boys' boarding-schools, to mix with all sorts, and 
there be taught all manner of evil ? Teachers 
trained in these languages could go into fami- 
lies to aid a mother in these duties, and would be 
liberally compensated. This, then, is a profession 
for which a woman can be trained even in our 
common schools as well as in female colleges. 

Another very interesting fact revealed by personal 
experience is, that there is no knowledge so tho- 
rough and permanent as that gained in teaching 



woman's pkofession. 75 

others. Eepeatedly, in my own case, and still 
oftener in the case of my teachers, has it been ob- 
served that a lesson or problem supposed to be com- 
prehended, was imperfect, and corrected only in at- 
tempts to aid others in understanding it. In no 
other profession is the sacred promise, " Give and it 
shall be given unto you," so fully realized as in that 
of a teacher. 

This view of the case has led me to devise 
methods by which every pupil, in school-days, 
shall have an opportunity to attempt to teach, and 
be taught how to do it in the best manner; and 
that, too, in every stage of advancement from lowest 
to highest. There are methods which secure this 
advantage with great economy of tune and labor 
which can not be detailed here. 

Another very important principle in acquiring 
knowledge is the taking of a few branches at one 
time, and especially in having these associated in 
their character, so that each is an assistance in under- 
standing and remembering the other. For illustra- 
tion, let geography, history, polite literature, and 
composition, for a certain period, be the leading 



76 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

studies of a class wliich has completed a short 
course in these studies in the preparatory school. 
Then let history be studied by successive periods, 
marked by some great events or by some distin- 
guished characters; and as each country is in- 
troduced, let its civil, political, and physical geogra- 
phy be fully studied ; its animals and productions be 
illustrated by drawings and by selection from tra- 
vels read to the class ; this might be done either in 
connection with the history or as a separate class in 
geography, conducted in connection with the class of 
history and reciting at a different hour. 

At the same time, the teacher of the class in litera- 
ture and helles-lettres could be presenting at another 
hour the state of science, literature, and the fine 
arts, with illustrative drawings, and also an account 
of the prominent learned men and authors of that 
period, with some account of their most celebrated 
works, reading some selections. For example, sup- 
pose, the period that of Alexander the Great, by 
this method, one teacher would introduce most of 
the geography of countries of the ancient world, 
while the literature and the fine arts of Greece in 



woman's pkofession. 77 

its palmy days would, under another teacher, be 
connected with the study of its history. At the 
same time the exercises in a daily class in compo- 
sition might have topics and exercises to correspond. 

So in the period of the crusades ; in one class, the 
history would be studied ; in another, the civil, po- 
litical, and physical geography of the countries in- 
troduced ; in another, the history of literature, the 
fine arts, and the distinguished authors, with some 
account of their works. This period might be still 
more vividly presented in standard works of fiction, 
such as Scott's Talisman and Ivanhoe^ to be read in 
liom-s of social gathering or at home. 

To make room for such a method, much of the 
minute and uninteresting details now so excessive in 
our geographies and histories, which are forgotten 
as soon as learned, would be omitted for these more 
valuable and more interesting exercises. On such a 
plan, the pupil would have three or four recitations 
on diverse topics, and yet so connected that each 
would illustrate and vivify the other, while the inte- 
rest thus excited would make permanent in the 
memory all these details. 



78 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

There is great loss of time and labor in the com- 
mon method of pursuing four, -G.Ye, or six discon- 
nected branches of study. The mind is distracted 
bj the variety, and feels a feeble and divided inte- 
rest in all. In many cases, this method of cram- 
mings the mind with uninteresting and disconnected 
details serves to debilitate rather than to promote 
mental power. The memory is the faculty chiefly 
cultivated, and this at the expense of the others. 
This method has been greatly increased since the 
honors of graduating have become so popular in 
female colleges and high-schools. 

The excess of uninteresting details is a serious 
objection to many text-books of history and geo- 
graphy. It is very much to be regretted that 
the plan introduced in Woodbridge and Willard's 
Geography, by which details are systematized 
under general heads, is so widely neglected. 

No experience has been more valuable to me 
than that relating to j)hysical training. Few are 
aware how much can be done in schools to 
promote development, health, and the proper and 
graceful use of the body and limbs. My resi- 



woman's profession. 79 

dence in sucli a large number and variety of 
health establishments, in studying the causes, and 
cure of the prevailing debility and diseases of 
American women, has led to the conviction 
that there are very few diseases or deformities 
which a teacher properly trained may not re- 
medy by natural methods, and those which may 
be made a part of school training. 

Here I would invite the special attention of 
mothers and teachers to a work on the Diseases 
of Women, by Dr. George H. Taylor, published 
by G. Maclean, 85 Nassau St., N. Y., in which such 
natural methods are presented, many of which 

can be employed in the family and school w^ithout 
the attendance of a physician. 

In the early part of my school experience, a 
European lady artist of fine personal appearance 
oiFered to teach in my school a system of exer- 
cises by which she herself, once a humpback crip- 
ple, was restored to a perfect and graceful figure. 
These were disconnected exercises, one portion 
of which I introduced into my work on phy- 
siology and calisthenics as what could be easily 



80 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

used in all schools without demanding a sepa- 
rate room and dress for the purpose. 

Other portions I combined into a system of ca- 
listhenic exercises set to music^ and demanding a se- 
parate room, and this method was extensively in- 
troduced into schools until Dr. Dio Lewis pre- 
pared his system, now extensively used. 

The difficulties of Dr. Lewis's method are, that 
it demands a separate dress and room for the 
purpose, which multitudes of schools will not 
adopt, and also is so violent as to endanger the 
health of delicate young girls, while it has but 
little tendency to promote ease and gracefulness 
of person and movements. For these reasons it 
is constantly passing out of use after a short trial. 

In place of this, I have originated another 
method by which personal defects and deformi- 
ties ' are remedied, and gracefulness in the move- 
ment of head, body, and limbs promoted. It 
includes exercises which gently train all the mus- 
cles, which are varied and entertaining, and 
which are performed to music, the pupils sing- 
ing songs prepared for each exercise. 



woman's profession. 81 

The results in curing defects and promoting 
liealth, ease, and gracefulness of movement and 
manner have been so remarkable as to excite some 
wonder that, even in dancing-schools, so little 
has been attempted in these particulars, when 
so much might be so easily effected. The pro- 
per and graceful mode of walking, sitting, and 
using the hands and arms is rarely taught in 
any schools. So, also, the training of the voice 
to agreeable tones and enunciation in conversa- 
tion is almost never attempted, and yet few 
things have a more constant influence in giving 
pleasure. 

The regulation and uso of amusements as a 
part of education is, as yet, scarcely recognized 
as a school duty. There is nothing that gains 
more personal regard and influence with pupils 
than joining in their amusements, while oppor- 
tunities are thus given to promote both health 
and literary improvement. And teachers need 
this kind of exercise and relaxation as much 
or more than their scholars. 

One very valuable method is combining the 



82 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

reading of interesting works of fiction with tlie 
period of history pursued in school hours, and 
also with ornamental needle-work pursued while 
listening to reading. In long winter evenings, 
an hour for study, an hour for active amuse- 
ments, and an hour for tliis kind of reading 
and needle-work would unite health, pleasure, and 
literary improvement in an unusual degree. 

In resuming the religious training of an in- 
stitution embracing pupils whose parents hold 
views differing essentially from mine, it becomes 
my duty to state the method I shall pursue. I 
propose to avoid all conflict with opinions taught to 
my pupils by their parents and clergymen. I shall 
simply take the teachings of Christ as my only 
guide, and present, as he did, " Our Father in 
heaven" as a kind and sympathizing parent, 
who loves and cares for all the children he 
has created more tenderly than any earthly 
parent can do ; who ever is seeking their best 
good ; who is pleased when they strive to do 
right, and grieved when they do T\Tong. 

If any come to me for help in regard to 



woman's pkofession. 83 

theological doctrines, I sliall teach them the simple 
laws of interpretation used in common life, and 
how to employ them in studying for themselves 
the teachings of the Bible. I shall assume the 
foundation principle of the teachings of Jesus 
Christ as the basis of religious training. I mean 
the daTujers of the future world. For it was the 
prime object of his advent to teach us these 
dangei'S, and the way of escape. 

Here I shall avoid all theories and all specu- 
lations, and confine myself strictly to the facts 
taught by Jesus Christ. I shall assume as true 
the fact revealed by the only person who has died 
and retm'ned to this life to tell us what awaits 
us in that dark and silent land toward which we 
all are hastening ; the solemn and dreadful fact 
that there are such awful dangers in the world 
to come that the chief end and aim of this life 
should be to save ourselves and all we can influ- 
ence, and, if need be, at the sacrifice of every 
earthly plan and enjoyment. 

Still more solemn to each individual mind is 
the fact taught by our Lord, that the number 



84 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

of those who escape an awful doom in the future 
life depends on the character and efforts of the 
followers of Christ. 

I shall assume as true the fact revealed by Jesus 
Christ that the only way of salvation is by faith 
in our Creator; not a mere intellectual belief in 
his existence and laws, but a faith including this 
belief and also practical obedience to his laws ; by 
rejpentance^ not a mere emotion of sorrow, but in- 
cluding the ceasing of disobedience ; by love^ not 
chiefly emotional, but rather that which is thus de- 
fined by inspiration, "This is the love of God, that 
ye keep his commandments." 

Obedience to the laws of our Creator^ physical, 
social, and moral, being the chief element of the 
faithy Tej>entaMcey and love by which alone we 
escape the dangers of the future world, the ques- 
tion will be urged as to the degree of obedience 
which will secure safety. Here we find in Christ's 
teachings that jperfect obedience is not indispensa- 
ble to salvation. The demand is that " the heart " 
(that is, the chief aim and interest) be devoted to 
such obedience. We are to " seek first " the king- 



woman's profession. 85 

dom of God and his righteousness. And all who 
do this, in both the Old Testament and the New, 
are recognized as the righteous, as the children of 
God, and as heirs to the eternal blessedness of his 
kingdom. 

It is the revelation of the dangers of the life to 
come which decides the character of the worldly 
educator in contrast to that of the Christian. The 
one has for the leading interest and aim to secure 
the enjoyments of this life ; the other has as the 
chief interest and aim to follow Christ in self- 
denying labors to save as many as possible from 
the dangers of the life to come. The one lives as 
if there were little or no danger in the future 
world. The other toils, as if in the perils of a 
shipwreck, to save as many as possible and at what- 
ever personal sacrifice of ease or worldly enjoy- 
ment. The one finds little occasion for self-sacri- 
ficing labors ; the other is constantly aiming to 
save others from sin and its ruin by daily self- 
denying efforts. 

It was "for the joy that was set before him" 
that "the Shepherd and Bishop of souls" "en- 



86 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

dured the cross, despising the shame." And when 
he invites his followers to take and bear the same 
cross, he encourages with the assurance that this 
joke is easy and this burden light, and that it 
brings "rest to the soul." 

And here, for the encouragement of my pupils 
and friends, I feel bound to give my testimony to 
the verity of these promises. 

It is now more than forty years that my chief 
interest and aim has been to labor to save my 
fellow-men to the full extent of my power. To 
this end I have sacrificed all my time, all my in- 
come, my health, and every plan of worldly ease 
and pleasure. With sympathies that would natu- 
rally seek the ordinary lot of woman as the ideal 
of earthly happiness, with no natural taste lor noto- 
riety or public action, with tastes for art, and im- 
aginative and quiet literary pm-suits, I have, for all 
that period, been doing what, as to personal taste, 
I least wished to do, and leaving undone what I 
should most like to do. I have been for many 
years a wanderer without a home, in delicate health, 
and often baffled in favorite plans of usefulness. 



% 



woman's profession. 87 

And yet my life has been a very happy one, 
with more enjoyments and fewer trials than most 
of my friends experience who are surrounded by 
the largest share of earthly gratifications. And 
since health is restored, except as I sympathize 
in the sorrows of others, I am habitually as hap- 
py as I wish to be in this world. And this 
is not, as some may say, the result of a happy 
temperament ; for in early life, at its most 
favored period, I was happy chiefly by antici- 
pations that were not realized, and never with that 
satisfying, peaceful enjoyment of the present, 
which is now secured, and is never to end. 

The preceding views lead to inquu'ies of great 
practical importance, such as these: 

Is it consistent with Christian principles to take 
cliildren from the care of parents at the most 
critical period of life, and congregate them in 
large boarding-schools and colleges, where tempta- 
tions multiply and individual love and care are 
diminished ? 

Is it practicable, in public and private schools, 



88 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

to institute methods by which each pupil shall be 
trained according to peculiar wants, so that de- 
ficient faculties shall be developed, and unfortu- 
nate intellectual, physical, and moral traits or 
habits be rectified? 

Can such schools institute methods by which 
every pupil shall, at least, commence a training 
for some business in futm^e life, to which natural 
abilities and tastes incline, and in which success 
would be most probable? 

Can woman's distinctive profession be made a 
large portion of her school education? 

To aid in deciding these questions, the follow- 
ing is given as the ideal at which I have been aim- 
ing in efforts to establish a Wc/man^s University / 
by which I mean, not a large boarding-establish- 
ment of pupils removed from parental care, but 
an institution embracing the whole course of a 
woman's training from infancy to a self-support- 
ing profession, in which both parents and teach- 
ers have a united influence and agency. 

According to this ideal, such an institution 
would be divided into distinct schools ; all 



woman's peofession. 89 

under the same board of supervision, and all 
carrying out a connected and appropriate portion 
of the same plan. These are: 

1. The Kindergarten^ for the youngest children, 
who are not to use books; 

2. The Primary School, for children just com- 
mencing the use of books ; 

3. The Preparatory School, introductory to the 
higher ; 

4. The Collegiate School, embracing a course of 
four years; 

5. The Professional School, to prepare a woman 
for all domestic duties and for a self-supporting 
profession. 

For the control of all these there would be 
such a division of responsibilities as follows: 

1. The first would be the department of in- 
tellectual training I committed to a woman of 

high culture in every branch taught in the col- 
legiate school ; possessing quick discernment, in- 
tellectual and moral force, and great interest 
in her special department. To her would be 
committed the superintendence of all the schools. 



90 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

except the professional, and it would be her duty 
to secure perfect lessons from every pupil by the 
following method. 

She would first gain from the teachers such 
an arrangement of lessons for every child as is 
fitted to its ability, and, if need be, have classes 
so divided that those of nearly equal ability 
shall be in one class, that the brighter or 
more advanced might not be retarded. Then, 
at the close of the daily school, it would be 
the duty of every teacher to send every pupil 
who has not a perfect lesson, whatever might be 
the cause, to the charge of this lady superin- 
tendent, who would keep them with her until 
each had studied and recited the imperfect lesson 
in the most satisfactory manner. By this method 
perfect lessons will be secured every day from 
every pupil. 

It would also be her duty to carry out a 
method, which will not here be detailed, by 
which, after due training, every pupil shall oc- 
casionally act as teacher under her supervision. 
By this and another method, not here indicated, 



woman's profession. 91 

great economy of time will be secured to pnpils 
who ordinarily are obliged to spend much time 
in recitation-rooms in hearing others recite, with- 
out any special benefit to themselves, and in- 
volving great trial of their patience, and also 
temptation to irregularities. Likewise it would 
be the duty of this teacher to ascertain intellectual 
defects, and adapt measures for the remedy ; also 
to ascertain, by aid of both parents and teachers, 
natural tastes and aptitudes, with reference to 
special school-training in branches preparatory to 
a self- supporting profession. 

2. The department of moral t/paining would be 
given to a woman of high moral and mental 
culture, whose tastes, talents, and experience pre- 
pare her to excel in this department. It would 
be her duty to study the character and discover 
the excellences of every pupil, by aid both of 
the other teachers and the parents, and then to 
devise methods of improvement; instructing the 
other teachers how to aid in these efforts. She 
also would seek the aid and cooperation of the 
most mature and influential pupils, and direct 



92 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

them liow to exert a cooperating influence. The 
general religions instruction of the institution 
also would be conducted under her supervision 
and control. 

3. The department of the physical training of 
all the institution would be committed to a woman 
of good practical common sense, of refined culture 
and manners, and one expressly educated for this 
department. By the aid of both parents and 
teachers, she would study the constitution and 
habits of every pupil, and administer a method 
of training to develop healthfully every organ 
and function, and to remedy every defect in habits, 
person, voice, movements, and manners. 

Here I would remark that my extensive investi- 
gations in many health-establishments as to the 
causes of the decay of female health, and my ex- 
tensive opportunities for gaining the opinions and 
counsels of the most learned and successful physi- 
cians of all schools, lead me to the belief that there 
are few chronic maladies, deformities, or unhealth- 
ful habits that may not be entirely remedied by 
a system of physical exercise and training in 



woman's profession. 93 

schools, under the charge of a woman properly 
qualified for these duties. 

If a similar officer were provided for our col- 
leges, whose official duty should be to train the 
body to health, strength, grace, and good man- 
ners, should we not see much fewer sallow faces, 
round shoulders, projecting necks, shambling gaits, 
awkward gestures, and gawky and slovenly man- 
ners, such as now too frequently mark the col- 
lege-graduate ? Why have the heathen youth of 
ancient Greece so excelled those of our age and 
religion in manly strength, beauty, and grace? 

And if a department in colleges should be 
instituted, on the plan here indicated for moral 
training, would not the barbarous and vulgar 
practices that so often degrade the manners, and 
endanger life and limb, be ended ? 

It is a great evil in many of our colleges and 
professional schools, that when a professor has 
once gained his chair, no degree of dullness or 
neglect will oust him, especially if supported by 
nepotism or a clique. This I have so often 
heard reported of institutions with which my 



94 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

family and personal friends have been connected, 
that it would seem as if few such institutions 
escaped this evil. And it seems to be one which 
might be remedied by means of such an officer 
as has been described as head of the department 
of intellectual training, whose official duty it 
should be to examine every department and re- 
port deficiencies to the faculty and corporation 
for remedy. 

In this connection I would entreat special at- 
tention to the perils of young girls in most 
large boarding-schools, and such as are little rea- 
lized. The collecting of many into buildings 
and rooms imperfectly warmed and ventilated, 
the overtasking the brain by excessive study, 
the excitements of boarding-school life in con- 
trast to home quietude, the unhealthful food 
and condiments bought at shops or sent from 
home and distributed to companions, the want 
of proper healthful exercise, the want of ma- 
ternal watch and care at critical periods and at 
commencing disease, the debilitating practices 
taught at the most dangerous period to the 



woman's profession. 95 

io-norant by the tliouglitless or vicious, and 
many other unfortunate influences, combine to a 
greater or less extent in all large boarding- 
schools. 

Having had charge of one myself for near- 
ly ten years, in which, as it seemed to me, 
every thing was done that could be to abate 
such evils, I have concluded that such institu- 
tions for both boys and girls may be called suc- 
cessful only on the same calculation as would 
be made in cultivating a garden on the top of 
a house. The best of soil, seed, manure, and 
labor, with water and sun and awnings, may be 
provided, and yet the proper place to make a 
good garden is on mother earth. And so the 
proper place to educate children before matm-ity 
is under the mother's care, with the cooperating 
aid of a school. 

If I could narrate one half of the sad histories 
of the ruined boys and girls, and the consequent 
agonies from blasted parental hopes, that have 
come to my personal knowledge, where health or 
morals, or both, were destroyed for a whole life at 



96 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

large boarding-schools, this false and fatal method 
would be greatly abated. 

And here I would direct attention to one 
item so pernicious, and yet so common and so 
misunderstood as to excite constant wonder and 
regret as connected with boarding institutions 
for both sexes, and that is the want of effective 
methods for providing pure air. In private 
families, only a few lungs vitiate the inhaled 
air ; but the larger the number in one building, 
the larger are the arrangements needed for emp- 
tying out the foul air and introducing the pure. 

An open fire is a sure and certain method. 
But when buildings are warmed by hot-air 
furnaces, or by hot-water or steam-pipes, the 
almost inevitable results are pernicious. In the 
case of heated air from a furnace, it always 
will find exit from a building in the shortest 
or most available direction, and then all the 
rooms not in this line of draugrht will have the 
air nearly stationary, to be breathed over and 
over again by their inmates. 

Heating by steam or by hot-water pipes 



woman's profession. 97 

involves still greater difficulties, vi^hen no ar- 
rangement is made for carrying off the foul 
air, inasmuch as it is the air in the house 
which is heated without introducing pure air. 

This is the most dangerous of all methods 
of warming when there is no connected venti- 
lating arrangement, while it is the best and 
most agreeable of all methods when properly 
managed. Mr. Lewis Leeds, ventilating en- 
gineer in ITew-York City, has invented the fol- 
lowing method. The coils of steam or hot- 
water pipes are placed close to a window, with 
an opening at the bottom of it, regulated by a 
register which admits pure air directly on to the 
coils, and thus it is warmed. 

Thus a person can sit by the coils and secure 
radiated heat as from a fire, have the light of 
the window and the influx of perfectly pure 
and yet warm air. In addition, every room has an 
opening both at top and bottom into a warm- 
air flue, through which the impure air of the 
room is constantly carried off. 

Any room can be perfectly ventilated which has 



98 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

openings at the top and bottom of a flue, through 
which warm air is passing. But no flues filled 
with cold air will ventilate a room, though house- 
builders, and householders, and school commit- 
tees have been ignorantlj providing such use- 
less arrangements all over the land. 

And here I affirm with heart-felt sorrow 
that never, in a single instance, have I known 
or even heard of a large boarding-school with 
any proper arrangements for ventilation. Even 
Yassar College, now so extensively regarded as 
a model institution, has adopted the most dan- 
gerous mode of warming without any arrange- 
ment but doors and windows to supply pm-e 
air to its recitation-rooms and sleeping-rooms. 

And so, as in all similar cases, the strong 
and well, who are distressed for want of pure air, 
will have windows open, and then the delicate, 
who are not inm*ed to sudden changes or to 
sreat extremes, will take colds. There is no 
doubt that the reports of the miasmatic dis- 
eases and lung afiections of teachers and pupils 
in this institution have been greatly exaggerat- 



woman's profession. 99 

ed ; but not because there has not been abun- 
dant reason for expecting sucli results. 

When I took charge of my present school, I 
found neither the boarding-house nor school-build- 
ing provided with any proper modes of venti- 
lation, and after making all changes for improve- 
ment at command, it is still needful to make it 
the constant duty of one teacher to sec that, so 
far as practicable, every room in school and 
boarding-house is properly warmed and ventilat- 
ed every hour of the day and night. 

In regard to the course of study in the colle- 
giate department of a woman's university, tliere 
should be as great an amount as is required in 
any of our colleges, yet only a few studies carried 
to so great an extent as in many sciences pursued 
by men. But tliere should be a much greater 
variety^ together with an accuracy and thorough- 
ness that colleges rarely secure. And all sliould 
have reference to women's profession, and not to 
the professions of men. Much in this department 
at first must be experimental, having in view the 
ideal indicated. 



100 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

So in regard to introducing practical training 
for woman's domestic duties as a part of common 
school education', although it is certain that much 
more can be done than ever has been attempted, 
and that, too, as a contribution to intellectual de- 
velopment rather than the reverse, this also must 
be a matter of experiment 

In regard to a special training in the prepa- 
ratory and the collegiate schools for future self- 
supporting employments, much more can be done 
than has ever been supposed, and a few particulars 
will be enumerated to illustrate. Young women 
of affectionate disposition, good intelligence and 
morals, having only limited means, might be 
trained to become a mother'^s assistant in charge 
of a nursery, partly by the studies of the primary 
and preparatory schools and partly by learning the 
methods of the Kindergarten. Thousands of pa- 
rents in all parts of om* nation would oifer liberal 
wages to young women thus trained for one of the 
most sacred offices of the family state. 

Women of suitable social and moral character 
might be trained, in connection with school studies^ 



woman's profession. 101 

to be superior seamstresses and man tua -makers, and 
thus be enabled to gain liberal wages. 
, If young ladies knew how much usefulness and 
' comfort may be connected with this domestic art, 
they would seek it with more interest than any 
school study. The scarcity of well-trained mantua- 
makers in all parts of the land has made my 
early training in this art a great blessing to me 
and to many others whom I have been thus en- 
abled to aid and to teach ; and there is no branch 
of school training that can be made so directly 
available in promoting economy, comfort, and use- 
fulness. 

"Women trained to fit young boys for college, in 
private families or in small neighborhood schools, 
would command very high remuneration in many 
quarters. Every young girl whose means will allow 
it ought to be prepared for this duty. 

Pupils who have a decided talent for either 
mnsic, drawing, or other fine arts, might have a 
special training for one of these professions ; while 
those without any such tastes or aptitudes should 
be dissuaded from wasting time, labor, and money. 



102 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

as is SO absurdly and widely practiced, in learning 
to play the piano and acquiring other accomplish- 
ments never pursued in after-life. J^ine tenths of 
young girls thus instructed lose all they learn in 
a very short period. 

Some pupils have fine voices and a talent and 
taste for elocution, and such might be trained for 
teachers of this art or for public readings. 

Some pupils have talents that prepare them to 
excel in authorship, and to such an appropriate and 
more extensive literary culture could be afforded. 

The art of book-keeping and of quick and legible 
penmanship insures remunerative employment; 
and many other specialties might be enumerated 
in which, during school-days^ a woman might be 
trained to a self-supporting profession. And every 
woman should be trained for all the duties that 
may in future life be demanded as wife, mother, 
nurse, and school-teacher, if not in the ordinary 
school, in a separate professional school. 

When institutions are endowed to train women 
for all departments connected with the family 
state, domestic labor, now so shunned and' dis- 



woman's profession. 103 

graced, will become honorable, will gain liberal 
compensation, and will enable every woman to 
secure an independence in employments suited to 
her sex. And when this is attained, there will 
be few or none who will wish to enter the profes- 
sions of men or take charge of civil government. 

Having expressed so strongly my views in refer- 
ence to large boarding-schools for both sexes, I will 
add some further details of my ideal for organizing 
a Woman's University. This has been suggested 
by recent interviews with some who may have 
much influence in managing the large funds re- 
cently bequeathed in Massachusetts for establish- 
ing institutions for women, in one case a lady 
having bestowed what will probably amount to 
nearly half a million, and in another case a gen- 
tleman has bequeathed a million and a half for 
this purpose. 

This, I believe, is but the beginning of similar 
benefactions that will be provided for women in all 
parts of our country. There are men of wealth 
who have lost a dear mother, wile, or daughter. 



104 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

wlio would find comfort and pleasure in perpetu- 
ating a beloved name by an endowment that for 
age after age will minister to the education and 
refinement of women and the support and training 
of orphans. 

In this view, it seems very important that tne 
first endowed institutions of this kind should adopt 
plans that may be wisely imitated. 

It seems desirable that such endowed institutions 
should be placed in or so near a large town that 
the pupils of all the schools, except the profes- 
sional one, should reside with their parents in- 
stead of congregating in a great boarding-house. 
The professional school would ordinarily embrace 
only women of maturity, and might demand a 
location with surrounding land for floriculture, 
horticulture, and other feminine professions. 

The Kindergarden, the primary school, and the 
preparatory school might each have a principal 
and an associate principal, supported partly by 
tuition fees and partly by endowment. These 
principals might establish a family, consisting of 
the two, who would take the place of parents to 



woman's profession. 105 

several adopted orplians and to several pay-pupils 
whose parents, from ill healtli or other causes, 
would relinquish the care of their children. 

The collegiate schools might have endowed de- 
partments corresponding to professorships in col- 
leges, each having a principal and associate prin- 
cipal, who also could establish families on the same 
plan. When completed, the university would then 
consist of a central building for school purposes, 
surrounded by fifteen or twenty families, each 
having a principal and associate principal, acting 
as parents to a family of from ten to twelve pupils, 
and all in some department of domestic training. 

Thus some thirty or forty ladies of high charac- 
ter and culture would be provided with the inde- 
pendence and advantages now exclusively bestowed 
on men, while at the same time the institution 
would practically and to a considerable extent be 
an orphan asylum offering unusual advantages. 

In regard to the practicability of finding women 
properly qualified to carry on such a university 
with success, there is no difficulty. Few know so 
well as I do how many women of benevolence and 



106 WOMAN SUFFRAGE. 

higli culture are living with half their noblest ener- 
gies unemployed for want of the opportunities 
and facilities provided for men. There is nothing 
needed but endowments to secure the services of a 
large number of ladies of the highest culture and 
moral worth, well qualified to establish not only one 
but many such institutions. 

In my attempts to organize female institutions 
on the college plan of independent principals of 
endowed departments, responsible not to an indi- 
vidual but to a faculty and corporation, I have been 
met with objections that apply as much to colleges 
for men. The jealousies and jars incident to all 
complex institutions are the result of the frailties 
of humanity common to both sexes. I have, in a 
large number of instances, organized institutions on 
the college plan, which for years were conducted 
with perfect harmony, some of them are still pros- 
pering, and others were ended only for want of en- 
dowments to retain the highest class of teachers. 



AN ADDKESS TO LADIES OF HARTFORD, CONN., 

INVITED PfiOi: ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS ; 



DELIVERED AT THE 



Calisthenic Hall of the Hartford Female Seminary, 
MAY, 1871. 



Ladies and Ejnd Friends : 

At a former meeting I stated that, as former 
principal of this Seminary, I so exhausted my nerv- 
ous system that I have never been able to assume 
responsibilities involving obligations which, by my 
failure, would cause disappointment to others. My 
method, therefore, has been to originate plans, and 
then induce others, more capable than myself, to 
execute them, and in such a way that I could help 
without taking any responsibility. 

Thus I originated the plan for transferring teach- 
ers to the West, executed by Gov. Slade. And 

thus also I organized the American Women's Edu- 
107 



108 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

cation al Association, for securing endowed collegiate 
and professional schools for women, which has estab- 
lished several flourishing institutions at the West. 
The most important of these is the Milwaukee Fe- 
male College, which for more than fifteen years has 
been conducted by the chief agent of this Associa- 
tion, Miss Mary Mortimer ; and which now numbers 
180 pupils, and exhibits many of the benefits of our 
plan, although only partially endowed. The object 
of this meeting is to gain your influence in order to 
secure, not only what has been gained at Milwaukee, 
but to accomplish the whole plan of a fully endowed 
"Woman's University, as the model which we hope 
to see reproduced all over the nation. 

In all these educational efibrts, I have been led 
by a deep and painful sense of the depressed and 
suffering condition of large portions of our sex, and 
to an extent little realized by women in easy and 
prosperous circumstances. I introduce here an ex- 
tract from a published article of mine that gives 
some small exhibition of these painful tacts. 

That there is something essentially wrong in the present 



woman's profession. 109 

condition of women, is every year growing more and more 
apparent, while the pubhc mind is more and more per- 
plexed with diverse methods proposed for the remedy. In 
one of our leading secular papers we read this statement 
of the case from the pen of a working woman : 

" There are so few departments of labor open to women, 
that, in those departments, the supply of female labor is 
frightfully in advance of the demand. The business 
world offers the lowest wages to eager applicants, certain 
that they will be ravenously clutched. And, indeed, to see 
the mob of women that block and choke these few and 
narrow gates open to them — the struggle — the press — the 
agony — the trembling eagerness — you might suppose they 
were entering the temple of fame or wealth, or, at least 
had some cosy little cottage ahead, in which competence 
awaited the winner. Nothing of the sort. These are 
blind alleys, one and all. The mere getting in, and keep- 
ing in, are the meagre objects of this terrible struggle. A 
woman who has not genius, or is not a rare exception, has 
no opening — no promotion — no career. She turns hope- 
lessly on a pivot ; at every turn the sand gives way, and 
she sinks lower. At every turn light and air are more 
difficult, and she turns and digs her own grave. Do you 
say these are figures of speech ? Here, then, are figures 
oi fact. There are now thirty thousand women in New 
York, whose labor averages from twelve to ffteen hours a 
day, and yet whose income seldom exceeds thirty-three 



110 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

cents a day. Operators on sewing-machines, and a few 
others, enjoy comparative opulence, gaining five to eight 
dollars a week, though from this are to be paid three or 
four dollars for a bed in a wretched room with several 
other occupants, often without a window or any provision 
for pure air, and with only the poor food found where such 
rooms abound. Thousands of ladies, of good family and 
education, as teachers receive from two to six hundred 
dollars a year. Few women get beyond that, and a large 
proportion of them are mothers with children. Over these 
poorly-paid laborers broods the sense of hopeless toil. 
There is no bright future. The woman who is fevered, 
hurried, and aching, who works from daylight to midnight, 
loathing her mean room, her meaner dress, her joyless life, 
will, in ten years, neither better herself nor her children. 
The American working-woman has no share in the Amer- 
ican privilege given to the poorest male laborer — a grow- 
ing income, a bank account, and every office of the Repub- 
lic, if he have brain and courage to win them." 

This describes the condition and feelings of not all, but of 
a large class of women in many of our larger cities, who must 
earn their own livelihood. But, in the medium classes, as 
it respects wealth, the unmarried or widowed women feel 
that they are an incumbrance to fathers and brothers, who 
often unwillingly support them from pride or duty. For 
such, also, there is " no opening — no promotion — no ca- 
reer;" and they must remain dependent chiefly on the 



woman's profession. Ill 

labor of others till marriage is offered, which to vast num- 
bers is a positive impossibility. 

This has lately been proved, from the census, by a lead- 
in «• New York paper. In that it is shown that, in all our 
large cities, the male inhabitants, under fifteen and over 
the usual marriageable age, are greatly in excess of the 
females, and, consequently, the women at the marriageable 
age are greatly in excess of the marriageable men. Thus, 
in New York City, according to the statements of the 
New York Times, there are eleven thousand more females 
than males, of all ages, while there are one hundred and 
thirty-two thousand more women of marriageable age than 
men of that age. This is perhaps a large estimate, but 
the disproportion is at all events enormous. 

And, in the rural districts of New York State, we find 
a similar state of things ; for the excess of females, of all 
ages, is twenty -one thousand, while the excess of marriag- 
able women, if at the same ratio as that stated in New York 
City, would be two hundred and sixty-three thousand. A 
similar state of things will be seen in all our older States. 

The most mournful feature in this case is the fact that 
most of these women have never been trained for any 
kind of business by which they can earn an independent 
livelihood. The Working- woman's Protective Union, of 
New York City, reports that, of thirteen thousand appli- 
cants, not one-half were qualified to do any kind of useful 
work in a proper manner. The societies that are formed 



112 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

to furnish work for poor women report that their greatest 
impediment is that so few can sew decently, or do any other 
work properly. 

The heads of dress-making establishments report that 
very few women can be found who can be trusted to com- 
plete a dress, and that those who are competent find 
abundant work and good wages. The demand for really 
superior mantua-makers is almost universal in country 
places, and even in many of our cities. 

In former days sewing was taught in all schools for 
girls, but now it is banished from our common schools, and 
the mothers at home are too neglectful, or too ignorant, or 
too pressed with labor, to supply the deficiency. 

It was reported in the New York Tribune, not long since, 
that there are at least twenty thousand professed prosti- 
tutes in New York City alone, while Boston, in proportion 
to its number of inhabitants, shows a larger number, and 
all our cities give similar reports. This, it is hoped is 
an estimate much in excess of the reality ; but the 
truth is mournful enough. Multitudes of these unfortu- 
nates have only two alternatives — on the one hand, poor 
lodgings, shabby dress, poor food, and ceaseless daily toil 
from eight to ten or fifteen hours ; on the other hand, the 
tempter offers a pleasant home, a servant to do the work, 
fine dress, the theatre and ball, and kind attentions, with 
no labor or care. Where is the strength of virtue in those 



woman's profession. 113 

who despise and avoid these outcasts, that might not fall 
in such perilous assaults ? 

It is this dreadful state of temptation which accounts 
for the fact that crime increases faster among women than 
among men. Thus, in Massachusetts, during the last ten 
years, among the men of that State, crime decreased at the 
rate of ei2:ht thousand five hundred and seven less than 
daring the ten preceding years, while, among women, crime 
increased at the rate of three hundred and sixty-eight 
during the same period ; that is, over eight thousand less 
men, and over three hundred more women, were guilty of 
crime than in the previous ten years. 

But, turning from these to the daughters of the most 
wealthy class, those who have generous and elevated aspi- 
rations also feel that for them, too, there is " no opening — 
no promotion — no career," except that of marriage, and 
for this they are trained to feel that it is disgraceful to 
seek. They have nothing to do but wait to be sought. 
Trained to believe marriage their highest boon, they are 
disgraced for seeking it, and must affect indifference. 

Meantime, to do any thing to earn their own independ- 
ence is what father and brothers would deem a disgrace to 
themselves and their family. For women of high position 
to work for their livelihood, in most cases custom decrees 
as disgraceful. And then, if cast down by povertyj they 
have been trained to nothing that would earn a support, 
or, if by chance they have some resource, all avenues for 



11 J: WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

its employment are thronged with needy applicants. Or- 
dinarily, and with few exceptions, there are only two 
employments for such women that do not involve loss of 
social position, viz., school-teaching and boarding. 

But every opening for a school-teacher has scores, and 
sometimes hundreds, of applicants, while often the pro- 
tracted toils in unventilated and crowded school rooms 
destroy health. To keep boarders demands capital to 
start, and an experience and training in household man- 
agement and economy rarely taught to the daughters of 
wealth. In this country housework is dishonorable, and 
rich men make no attempts to train their daughters to any 
other business that would be a resort in poverty. 

Few can realize the perils which threaten our country, 
from the present condition of women. The grand instru- 
mentality, not only for perpetuating our race, but for its 
training to eternal blessedness, is the family state, and in 
this woman is the chief minister. As the general rule, 
man is the laborer out of the home, to provide for its sup- 
port, while woman is the daily minister to train its inmates. 
But there are now many fatal influences that combine to 
unfit her for these sacred duties. Not the least of these 
is the decay of female health, engendering irritable nerves 
in both mother and offspring, and thus greatly increasing 
the difficulties of physical and still more of moral training. 

The factory girls, and many also in shops and stores, 
must stand eight and ten hoiu*s a day, often in a poisonous 



woman's puofession. 115 

atmosphere, causing decay of constitution, and forbidding 
healthful offspring. The sewing-machine lessens the wages 
of needlewomen, while employers testify that tliose who 
use it for steady work become hopelessly diseased, and 
cannot rear healthy children. In the more wealthy circles, 
the murderous fashions of dress make terrible havoc with 
the health of young girls, while impure air, unhealthful 
food and condiments, lack of exercise, and over-stimulation 
of brain and nerves, are completing the ruin of health and 
family hopes. 

The state of domestic service is another element that is 
undermining the family state. Disgraced by the stigma 
of our late slavery, and by the influx into our kitchens of 
ignorant and uncleanly foreigners, American women for- 
sake home circles for the unhealthful shops and mills. 

Then the thriftless young housekeepers from boarding- 
school life have no ability either to teach or to control 
their incompetent assistants, while ceaseless " worries" 
multiply in parlor, nursery, and kitchen. The husband is 
discouraged by the waste and extravagance, and wearied 
with endless complaints, and home becomes any thing but 
the harbor of comfort and peace. 

Add to all this, the now common practice wliich destroys 
maternal health and unborn offspring — the loose teachings 
of free love — the unfortunate influence of spiritualism, so 
called — the fascinations of the demi-monde for the rich, 
and of lower haunts for the rest, with the poverty of 



116 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

thousands of women who but for desperate temptations 
would be ]3ure, and the extent of the malign iniiuences 
undermining the family state — that chief hope of our race 
— is appalling. 

Woman, in the Protestant world, is educated only /or 
marriage, hoj)ing to have some one to work for her support, 
and, when this is not gained, little else is provided. 

The Roman Catholic Church, while it honored the insti- 
tution of marriage as a sacrament, and upheld its sanctity, 
yet taught that woman had a still higher ministry ; and 
for this, large endowments, comfortable positions, and 
honorable distinction, were provided. The women who 
devoted their time and wealth and labors to orphans, to 
the sick, and to the poor, were honored above married 
women as saints, who not only laid up treasures in heaven 
for themselves, but also a stock of merits to supply the 
deficiencies of others. The idea of self-sacrifice and self- 
denial in that church was so honored as to run into mis- 
chievous extremes, so that rich establishments of celibates 
of both sexes multiplied all over Christendom till they 
became burdens and pests. 

This drove the Protestant world to the other extreme, 
so that no provision at all has been made for the single 
woman. In most cases she must marry, or have no pro- 
fession that leads to independence, honor, and wealth. To 
fit young men for their professions, thousands and millions 
are every year provided, securing by endowments the high- 



woman's profession. 117 

est class of teachers, in addition to every advantage of 
libraries, apjDaratus, and buildings. But woman's profes- 
sion has no such provisions made for its elevated duties. 

In the Roman Catholic Church the woman of high 
position, culture, and benevolence, is honored above all 
others if she remains single and devotes her time and 
wealth to orphans, to nurse the sick, to reclaim the vicious, 
and to provide for the destitute. She becomes a lady 
abbess, or the head of some sisterhood, where high position, 
influence, and honor, are her reward. 

And the priesthood of that Church employ all their 
personal and official influence to lead women of benevo- 
lence and piety to devote time, property, and prayers, to 
the salvation of their fellow-creatures from diseases of 
body, ignorance, and sin. 

But Protestant women, as yet, have been influenced to 
endow institutions for men^ rather than for their own sex. 
The writer obtained from the treasurers of only six insti- 
tutions for men the following statement of benefactions 
from women : 

Miss Plummer, to Cambridge University, to endow one 
professorship, gave $25,000; Mary Townsend, for the 
same, $25,000; Sarah Jackson, for the same, $10,000 » 
other ladies, in sums over $1,000, to the same, over $30,- 
000. To Andover Professional School of Theology ladies 
have given over $65,000, and, of this, $30,000 by one 
lady. In Illinois, Mrs. Garretson has given to one pro- 



118 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

fessional school $300,000. In Albany, Mrs. Dudlay has 
given, for a scientific institution for men, $105,000. To 
Beloit College, Wisconsin, property has been given, by one 
lady, valued at $30,000. 

Thus half a million has been given by women to these 
six colleges and professional schools, and all in the present 
century. The reports of similar institutions for men all 
over the nation would show similar liberal benefactions of 
women to endow institutions for the other sex, while for 
their own no such records appear. Where is there a sin- 
gle endowment from a woman to secure a salary to a wo- 
man teaching her own proper profession ? 

It is the depressed and suffering condition of our 
sex, here indicated, which is the exciting cause of 
the agitation to gain woman suffrage. To me, suc- 
cess in this effort appears not as a remedy, but 
rather as a curse. But there are favorable results 
involved in this agitation that deserve consideration. 
One is, the exhibition of the moral power now held 
by women in our nation. For if women urging 
measures so contrary to our customs and prejudices 
— not to say so contrary to common sense and the 
Bible — with many prominent leaders so destitute of 
discretion and political foresight, yet can movesociely 



woman's profession. 119 

so powerfully, what could not be accomplislied by 
tlie organized influence and action of that vast ma- 
jority of intelligent women opposed to such innova- 
tions ? 

Another beneficial result it is hoped will be, sys- 
tematic and concerted measures by judicious and 
benevolent women to organize agencies to remedy 
the evils all must lament, and by measures more 
wise and more practicable. What such measure 
will probably be, may be indicated by a series of 
resolutions adopted first by two previous meetings, 
and afterwards by a large public meeting at Stein- 
way Hall, New York, of ladies invited by the Man- 
agers of the American Woman's Educational Asso- 
ciation, from all religious denominations in the city, 
as follows : 

" Resolved, That one cause of the depressed condition 
of woman is the fact that the distinctive profession of her 
sex, as the nurse of infancy and of the sick, as educator 
of childhood, and as the chief minister of the family state, 
has not been duly honored, nor such provision been made 
for its scientific and practical training as is accorded to the 
other sex for their professions ; and, that it is owing to 



120 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

this neglect that women are driven to seek honor and inde- 
pendence in the institutions and the professions of men. 

"Resolved, That woman's distinctive profession, in its 
various branches, involves more important interests than 
any other human science ; and, that the evils suffered by 
women would be extensively remedied by establishing 
institutions for training women for her profession, which 
shall be as generously endowed as are the institutions of 
men, many of which have been largely endowed by 
women. 

"Resolved, That the science of domestic economy should 
be made a study in all institutions for girls ; and that cer- 
tain practical employments of the family state should be 
made a part of common school education, especially the 
art of sewing, which is so needful for the poor. 

"Resolved, That every young woman should be trained 
to some business by which she can earn an independent 
livelihood in case of poverty. 

"Resolved, That in addition to the various in-door em- 
ployments suitable for woman, there are other out-door 
employments especially favorable to health and equally 
suitable, such as raising fruits and flowers, the culture of 
silk and cotton, the raising of bees, and the superintendence 
of dairy farms and manufactures. All of these offer ave- 
nues to wealth and independence for women as properly 
as men, and schools for imparting to women the science 
and practice of these employments should be provided, and 
as liberally endowed as are the agricultural schools for 



woman's profession. 121 

men." These resolutions were adopted unanimously and 
then published in all the leading secular and religious pa- 
pers with equally unanimous approval- The following from 
the N, T. Evening Post, is a fair specimen of the whole. 

" These re-^olutions contain sound sense ; and their claim 
that practical schools for women deserve as much attention 
as similar schools for men, is undeniably just. If we are 
to have industrial schools at all, if it is important that any- 
body should be able to secure systematic and thorough 
instruction as a preparation for useful industries, girls 
would be as much benefited by such instruction as boys ; 
and women need it as much as men. 

There is no doubt that the present arrangement of woci- 
ety bears more hardly upon women than upon men ; and 
all wise efforts to make them more independent of the 
mischances of life deserve encouragement. 

Although the plan aimed at is large, this Asso- 
ciation commenced with only a small portion. At 
Milwaukee, where is their first institution, a school 
already organized was taken as the nucleus. The 
citizens were to furnish land, and building, and 
pupils enough to support by tuition fees a given 
number of teachers. On these conditions the Asso- 
ciation agreed to provide endowments to support a 
certain number of teachers, so long as the plan of 



122 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

the Association was carried out, but if it was relin- 
quished, to remove their patronage to another place. 
The Lady Agent of the Association is still at the 
head of this Institution, which has prospered on this 
plan for more than fifteen years, the Association 
supporting by their funds a portion of the teachers. 

In my former address in this place, I showed how 
in this and other cities, the more wealthy, and best 
educated classes, and those who pay the most taxes 
for public education, provide for their own daughters 
inferior advantages to those given to the humblest 
poor. Our own High School in this city compared 
with this Seminary and all private schools, will illus- 
trate this remarkable fact. 

For our High School has a building healthfully 
and thoroughly warmed and ventilated, as can be 
said of neither this Seminary, nor any private school 
of this city ; while its apparatus and library are 
superior to any except those of the College, and the 
Theological School, to which no girls have access. 
By reason of subordinate graded schools, only well 
prepared pupils are admitted, or this is the rule 
which can be enforced ; while all scholars must enter 



woman's profession. 123 

at regular periods. Thus, only four classes are 
formed and only a small number of studies are pur- 
sued at any one time. The teachers are thus allowed 
time to prepare themselves, and other great advant- 
ages for instructing, while their salaries are much 
higher than can be given to assistant teachers in 
most private schools. Thus the best class of teach- 
ers are tempted to forsake private schools for these 
superior advantages. 

In contrast to these advantages, although this 
Seminary is warmed and ventilated as well as most 
private schools, it is necessary to employ much of 
the time of an intelligent and careful teacher to 
keep the rooms at proper temperature, well venti- 
lated and free from poisonous gases, and yet with 
but imperfect success. 

Then the pupils enter this and all private schools, 
at any time and at all grades of advancement, mak- 
ing it necessary to multiply classes and to tax the 
teachers in order to bring forward the new comers 
to certain classes. The method of arranging cer- 
tain studies at one time of the year, and others only 
at other times, as in colleges and our public 



124 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

high schools, often cannot be enforced without 
dissatisfying patrons, and thus lessening income. 
Then the accomplishments, especially Piano music, 
to which classes must conform, greatly increases 
the difficulty of classification in this and in all pri- 
vate schools. 

The result usually is, a most inferior, desultory, 
and unsatisfactory course of education. There are 
cases where by overworking poorly paid assistant 
teachers, and by small profits to proprietors, some 
private schools turn out as fine scholars as our best 
managed High schools. But these are exceptions, 
and exceptions that bear very severely on the 
subordinate women teachers. 

Thus comes to pass the remarkable fact that the 
most wealthy and cultivated pay the largest taxes to 
furnish the poorer classes a gratuitous and a better 
education than they gain for their own daughters 
by paying the largest tuition fees, or at expensive 
boarding schools. 

There is great misconception as to the advantages 
of education for daughters of the more wealthy 
classes, owing to the fact that the ambitious name 



woman's profession. 125 

of " college" is given to schools that have no proper 
claim to this appellation. For the distinctive fea- 
ture of a college heretofore has been its endowments^ 
by which a permanent faculty of superior and co- 
equal teachers are maintained to a great extent 
independent of tuition fees ; and also supporting pro- 
fessors as independent heads of departments, in- 
stead of subordinates to a principal, as in High 
Scliools and academies. This being the fact, there 
is not a single college for women in this country, 
nor in the whole world. 

The only feature of a college in any institutions 
for women is a similar course of study and grad- 
uating diplomas, and these without endowments only 
increase the branches taught, and decrease the thor- 
oughness of instruction and overwork the teachers. 

There is also great misconception as to the in- 
fluence of woman's domestic duties in developing 
and training the intellect. A problem in arith- 
metic or geometry is far more interesting, and 
therefore more quickening to the intellect, when 
it is directly applied to some useful, practical pur- 
pose. Thus a woman who is daily calculating her 



126 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

butcher's and grocer's accounts, or trading at stores, 
is cultivating her intellect as much or more than she 
would by studying arithmetic in college or school 
without any end but to escape reproof or marks of 
imperfection. So the planning and cutting garments 
and the various other calculations and measure- 
ments of carpets, curtains, and furniture, are daily 
exercises in both geometry and arithmetic, while 
the practical interest and the handicraft involved 
tend to quicken intellectual vigor. 

Then in kitchen affairs, domestic chemistry , though 
on a small scale, is constantly studied and practically 
applied. Again in the care of infants and of the 
sick, the discipline of the physiologist and the phy- 
sician are united. Then in the government of ser- 
vants and children, the same mental exertion and 
principles are employed as are demanded for legis- 
latures, statesmen, and magistrates. Then in the 
religious training of children, all the most profound 
questions of the metaphysician and the theologian 
are daily objects of enquiry and reflection as child- 
hood urges the most difficult problems of mental 
science, and of natural and revealed religion. 



woman's profession. 127 

A man in his daily toils, or in the learned profes- 
sions has only one or two subjects that hold his prac- 
tical attention and interest, but a woman as mother 
and housekeeper has a constant succession of employ- 
ments that tax all her intellectual and her moral 
powers. These views are remarkably illustrated by 
some of the women of a former generation whose 
intellectual training was chiefly in domestic pursuits 
with little else except the humblest kind of common 
school, a very small library, and a vigorous pulpit 
ministry. Let such be compared with multitudes 
of women who with little domestic training and 
exercise have graduated from the High Schools and 
Colleges of the present day, and we shall have occa- 
sion for serious reflection as to the diverse results. 

I can best illustrate this by an individual case 
that may fairly represent a large class of women 
forty or fifty years ago. In early youth I lived in 
Litchfield, Conn., where a law school was conducted 
by Judge Reeves, and Judge Gould, two of the most 
talented and learned jurists of the nation, and 
gathered from forty to over one hundred law stu- 
dents from the first colleges and the first families 



128 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

of every state in the Union. There were also eight 
or ten otlier gentlemen of liberal education and 
some of more than ordinary talents and culture, in 
the same circle. 

Then of the ladies I met in that circle, were Mrs. 
Judge Reeve, Mrs. Judge Gould, Miss Sarah Pierce, 
to whom I owe my school education. Miss Mary 
Pierce, Miss Amelia Ogden, Miss Lucy Sheldon, my 
father's sister Esther, my mother's sister Mrs. Mary 
Hubbard, and my mother. In my own family circle 
I used to hear my mother and aunts discussing a 
variety of literary and scientific topics, and especially 
remember their enthusiastic interest in the new dis- 
coveries of chemistry by Lavoisier, and their practi- 
cal test experiments in the kitchen and study. 
Aunt Esther was deeply interested in medical sci- 
ence, and probably had read medical works as ex- 
tensively as most physicians of that day. 

Then Mrs. Judge Reeve, and my mother and 
aunts, would meet and read works of history, or 
travels, or some classic English literature. Miss 
Mary Pierce was an accomplished elocutionist, and 
when Judge Gould suffered from weak eyes, would 



woman's profession. 129 

go day after day to read works of literature and 
discuss the topics introduced. Miss Sarah Pierce 
was head of the largest and most celebrated female 
school of the nation, and was overflowing with 
acquired knowledge, as well as poetic treasures. 

Now not one of these ladies had studied a line of 
Latin or Greek, or of mathematics or other college 
studies which women are now seeking so earnestly 
at the sacrifice of health and all domestic culture. 
And yet when they met these gentlemen of the 
highest talents and education, they were regarded 
as fully their equals in mental power and in- 
tellectual debate. Indeed, some of my brothers 
educated in this circle, honestly maintained that 
women were endowed by nature with intellectual 
powers superior to men ; and one brother argued in 
defence of this position in a public college exercise. 
Moreover, six brothers had a college education, 
while none of my sisters studied any part of the 
college course ; and yet there has been no marked 
inequality of mental power and culture in this 
diverse training. 

In that day, novels, by most women, were either 



130 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

deemed an unlawful indulgence, or were taken as 
condiments only, while the substantials of literature 
and science were their chief intellectual pabulum. 
And having but few books and those the choice 
works of the best English classics, they were pe- 
rused and reperused with such interest as rarely is 
given in colleges to the literature of Greece and 
Eome. And it was a frequent fact, that women 
were far better read in English classic literature 
than were their brothers and friends in colleges. 

Now at the present day, when mothers and house- 
keepers* meet gentlemen in social gatherings, is 
there anything in their conversation and pursuits to 
show the superior advantages of the female High 
Schools and Colleges, which have nearly supplanted 
the intellectual domestic training of a former 
generation? Have not novels, magazine stories, 
newspaper literature, and the fashions and accom- 
plishments of the age taken the place of the more 
vigorous mental culture so common at a former 
period ? 

A variety of intellectual training which is pur- 
sued in connection with such interesting practical 



woman's profession. 131 

results as woman's employments im^olve, tends to 
produce a vigorous 'and well balanced mind, far 
more than devotion to one or two professional 
pursuits such as the business of most men requires. 
And even in science and literature, we not unfre- 
quently find some of the most learned men entirely 
deficient in intellectual balance and executive 
power ; while their less learned mothers or wives 
are respected as wise and practical counselors. 

The diminution of domestic exercise in the fam- 
ily state by mothers and daughters has equally 
tended to the loss of physical development and 
vigor in the present generation of women. The 
Creator has wisely adapted the physical organiza- 
tion of woman to her appropriate duties, so that 
the alternating sedentary and active exercises of 
the nursery and household are exactly those best 
fitted to sustain and invigorate the organs which 
now are so extensively displaced or diseased. And 
the artificial modes of exercise to remedy these 
evils, now so successful in the Movement Cure, are 
to a large extent in imitation of these domestic 
muscular movements demanded in the nursery and in 



132 WOMAN SUFFRACxE AND 

other household labors. The tending of infants, the 
bending, twisting, and stooping constantly practiced 
in these domestic labors are exactly what are 
demanded to preserve in health and activity the 
muscles most important to womanly development 
and vigor ; while the interchanging employment of 
the needle and other sedentary domestic pursuits, 
when in proper proportion, equally tend to health- 
ful results. Yery different are the influences on 
woman's health as she stands six and eight hours 
behind the counter or in shops and mills in one 
continuous and unvaried toil, or sits day after 
day over the needle without intervening healthful 
exercises. Not less are the evils to the daughters 
of wealth and ease, whose brain and nerves are 
never relieved and strengthened by the exercises 
of domestic life. Still more lamentable is the 
common practice of those who, when sending 
daughters to the public schools, free them from 
domestic labor, that they may give their whole time 
to study and school duties. If instead of this, 
these pupils were required to engage in domestic 
labor two hours each day and this amount of time 



woman's profession. 133 

was deducted from school duties, not only health 
but higher intellectual development would be se- 
cured. 

If a time should come when the aims of the 
Woman Suffrage party are attained, and women 
are trained for the pulpit, the bar, the political 
arena, and other professions drawing woman from 
domestic life, still more disastrous influences will 
show the great mistake of taking woman from her 
true sphere and giving her the work designed for 
man. If, on the contrary, women are trained to 
both the science and the practice of their true pro- 
fession in all its varied departments, and with the 
honor and emolument that now are given exclu- 
sively to the professions of men, every woman will 
be in demand for the services of the family and the 
school, and will regard the employments of men as 
less important and less inviting than her own 
sacred ministries. 

It is often said that it is mothers who must give 
the domestic training to daughters, and that school 
duties should be confined to literature and science. 
This might have been true in former days, when • 



134 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

daughters and mothers performed most of the 
family labor, and when the style of living was 
simple and economical. But with the present style 
of houses and expenditures, demanding two, three 
or more servants, it is utterly impossible for a 
mother and housekeeper to add to her multiplied 
cares the scientific domestic training of her daugh- 
ters ; nor can anything of this kind be successfully 
connected with large boarding schools. The demand 
for scientific domestic training is greatly increased 
by improved modern conveniences. 

The one iteni of selecting and superintending 
the management of stoves and furnaces, demands 
much scientific study and practical instruction, and 
there is no one point where family health and 
economy suffer more tlian for want of them. The 
inhaling of poisonous gases, the sudden changes 
of temperature, and the want of proper ventilation 
probably are doing more to destroy the constitution 
and health of families than any other cause, and 
owing greatly to the want of needed science and 
skill in housekeepers. 

In various other departments, the increase of 



woman's profession. 135 

civilization and its elegancies and conveniences 
have greatly increased the need of scientific train- 
ing for mothers and housekeepers, who, never having 
been thus instructed themselves, are not qualified 
to train their daughters. 

As to the virtue of economy, in our nation 
among the more wealthy classes, it seems to have 
become one of " the lost arts." The art and skill 
of domestic economy can no more be acquired 
without instruction and training, than any of the 
mechanical trades. As eldest daughter of a poor 
minister, and the pupil of a most ingenious mother 
and a vigorously economical aunt, I know that 
by proper training, a young lady can dress with 
taste and propriety at one half the expense re- 
quired by one untrained; and that a house- 
keeper without such a preparation needs double 
the means of one who is properly instructed. Not 
that there are not women as well as men, who have 
natural gifts that enable them to excel in handicraft 
and skill without any training, so as to equal those 
properly instructed. But these are exceptional 
cases. 



136 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

To illustrate the fact that the more civilization 
increases the enjoyments and refinements of the 
family state, the more it multiplies the responsibili- 
ties and cares of a mother and housekeeper, I will 
reproduce a specimen of such conversations as I 
have repeatedly had with familiar friends. The 
lady introduced, is a mother of five young children 
all attending some primary, or some higher schools, 
and in reply to her remark that she had no time 
for solid or systematic reading, I enquired, 

" How many servants have you ?" 

" Three ; a cook, a chambermaid, and a boy for 
errands and care of yard and garden." 

"Now suppose," said I, ''that you give me an 
outline of your ordinary daily routine, that I may 
appreciate your difiiculties ; for I think few under- 
stand how much is demanded of mother and house- 
keeper in these days. At what hour do you rise?" 

" Usually about seven ; and then beside dressing 
myself, I must see that the little ones are washed 
and dressed properly, as all the servants are busy. 
Their hair must be combed and braided, their teeth 
and nails in order, and their clothing be all whole 



woman's profession. 137 

and clean for school, which often demands an extra 
stitch, or some change that I must regulate. This 
takes till near breakfast hour, when I go down to 
see that all is right on the table and in the kitchen. 
When I have a good cook, and second girl, I have 
not much to do ; but the frequent changes oblige 
me often to be training, or overseeing one or the 
other. Then at table, I serve the tea and coffee, 
and also take care of the two youngest, to supply- 
proper food, and see that they behave properly." 

" Cannot your husband take some of this care." 

" Oh, no ; he is so hurried in business and so 
anxious to get off as soon as possible. 

" Then we have prayers, and I must collect ail 
the family, and see that all the children behave 
properly. Then I make a memorandum of errands 
or purchases for my husband to execute. Then I 
must see that all the children are prepared for 
school, their books all collected, their hair dressed, 
and shoes in order, and all their little wants sup- 
plied. 

" Then I go to the kitchen and make arrange- 
ments with the cook for the day, giving written 



138 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

orders for the grocer and butcher. Then I arrange 
the work for the second girl for the day. I go over 
all the rooms and chambers myself, and always find 
in my drawers and closets something that needs 
care or labor, that I must do myself, or arrange for 
others to do. Oh, the making, the mending, the 
altering, the washing, and the care of clothing for 
young children which our present fashions require ! 
And yet I always hang back and do as little as 
possible without being odd, or making the children 
fear lest all their companions should outdo them. 

" By noon I am so tired and nervous I can not do 
anything more than sit down quietly and look over 
the morning paper. Then comes the noon lunch, 
when I again have all the table serving and care 
of children. After lunch, I send out the children 
to play, and then comes the family sewing and 
mending, the shopping — to bay dresses, bonnets, 
shoes, gloves, trimmings, and all the numerous et 
ceteras of the wardrobe for husband, children, and 
self. The mantua-maker must come some days, 
and then what worry and work! Then the semp- 
stress comes other times ; then company calls that 



woman's profession. 139 

I must entertain ; and then comes the children's 
music practice, and their hard lessons in arithmetic 
or geometry, where I must help or oversee. 

" Then comes the dinner at 5 or 6, when com- 
pany often is added, and I must see that all is in 
order, and the children well behaved, and the table 
served aright. For an hour or two after dinner 
comes a little time to talk with my husband and 
children ; but again I am called on to help in the 
lessons of the older children, or to aid them when 
sewing or drawing. Then I must go to prepare the 
little ones for bed, as both servants are busy after 
dinner. 

"All this is what I do when I have no visitors, and 
when there is no baby. But when there is a nurse 
and a baby, and visitors staying in the family to 
entertain, I am sure I do not know how I get 
through all. I only know that most of my married 
life I have suffered constant weariness, and a pain 
in head or back, and that all put together make life 
such a burden that often I should willingly lay it 
down were it not for my dear husband and children. 

"And all these beautiful things around me, and 



140 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

my lovely home, seem to double my cares because 
I have so much to keep in order. For all these rich 
and delicate things are soon ruined if left in the 
hands of servants, and the more we get, the more 
we have to watch and work to save from injury or 
waste." 

"If we lived in such a convenient little cottage 
as you have put in your American Woman's Home, 
and had a highly educated governess, and then all 
of us united to do the family work, except washing 
and ironing, how much easier and happier life 
would be ! "* 

But at present my thoughts and efforts are most 
engaged to accomplish that department of a Wo- 
men's University which relates to the preservation 
and restoration of health. When often asked what 
is the reason that our women are so delicate and 
unhealthy, and that our young girls so often suffer 
what in former days was rare and then only in 
connexion with maternity, my reply often is, that 

* This book is enlarged and has questions for a text book for 
schools. Its title is "Principles of Domestic Science,^' and it is pub- 
lished by J. B. Ford, Park Place, New York. The S(!Cond ])nrt en- 
titled The TToHse, Keeper Sc Health Keeper is in press and will be pub- 
lished in the fall by the Harpers. 



woman's PIIOFERSION. 141 

it iH })ccauso parents and teachers are doin^^ ovovy 
tliinj^ tli(!y can do to produce sikjIi miscliiefs. 

Sleeping in unventilated chanil)ers ; living in 
schoolrooms and parlors heated to excess and 
charged with poisonous gases ; exposed to suddc^n 
variations ol' teni})erature from mismanagcMnent ; 
eating nnlK^alilirid food at ir-regular hours and to a 
danger(jus (!XC(!HS ; supplied witli unhealtlilVd con- 
fectionery to eat at any hour ; indulged in exciting 
amusements with late hours for sleep; the brain 
stimulated l)y a multitude of school duties and 
studies unrelieved ])y nmsculax exercises ; the dress 
contrived to ini})ede vital functions, compr(;ssing iJie 
most yielding parts so as to force the np{)er orgajis 
on to the lower, generating the most crui^l disphice- 
ments and mental and })odily discsases ; over-heating 
the |)arts most injured l)y suc^li treatmciit, and 
exposing the parts most important to keep warm ; 
com[)ressing feet and anldes so as to imp(5de cnrcu- 
lation, with high heels thi'owing all the muscles out 
of natural {)lay so as to in(M'(;ase all the dangerous 
tendencies to intei-nal displacement; these are only 
one portion of the many contrivances ado[)ted or 



142 WOMAN SUFFEAGE AND 

allowed by parents and teachers to destroy the 
health of women and young girls. 

The public press is now circulating such charges 
against the most cultivated Protestant women of 
our country as, if true, will verify the assertion that 
in one important respect, " Protestantism is a 
failure." For maternity in its normal aspect, 
involves what scripture represents as the ex- 
tremity of physical suffering. If to this is added 
the protracted tortures of mind and body conse- 
quent on such outrages on nature as are nar- 
rated above, it is not the graduates of boarding 
schools, and High Schools and Colleges who are to 
be the mothers and educators of this nation, but 
those rather who are protected from these sins and 
sufferings by humble means, daily toil, and a vigi- 
lant and politic priesthood. 

All through my early days, no such charges 
against womanhood were even imagined, for I saw a 
cheerful, healthful mother each second or third year 
of her whole married life with another healthful in- 
fant, and all received by my father as a precious 
"heritage from the Lord" and through his long life 



woman's profession. 143 

his " chief joy and crown of rejoicing." And this, 
which is now so rare an example, was a common 
experience, in that more simple and healthful gen- 
eration. 

My opportunities for noticing the decline of 
health in women of this generation, and forming 
opinions on medical subjects, have been extensive, 
as for over forty years I have been taxing the sci- 
ence and sagacity of medical men in all parts of 
the nation, residing in many health establishments, 
reading medical works, and consulting all classes 
of medical practitioners. In this course I have 
secured perfect health and also learned many les- 
sons that I hope will enable me to aid others in 
gaining the same blessing. 

And the most important of these lessons is, that 
most diseases are consequences of violating the 
laws of health, (which are as really the laws of God 
as any in the Bible), and that the surest and 
safest remedies are found in conforming to these 
laws. This will be illustrated by a short account 
of my experiences while so long a wandering 
invalid. 



144 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

During this period, as results have proved, I had 
no organic or functional disease, except extreme 
prostration of the overworked brain and nerves, 
increased by a punctured nerve, adding to the 
debility of the connected sciatic nerve. Thus came 
inability to walk without supporters, and little 
ability for any kind of either mental or physical 
exercise. 

The treatment to be narrated was in all cases 
but one, by regularly educated physicians, most of 
whom were regarded as among the highest in talents 
and skill, often the professors of medical colleges. 
The first physician prescribed a heaping teaspoonful 
of carbonate of iron three times a day, which was 
taken with no benefit. Next, a learned professor, 
for a slight fever bled twice, and, to allay consequent 
nervous excitement, gave camphor till temporary 
deafness ensued. Next, another medical professor 
conjectured that the lameness resulted from the state 
of the stomach, and gave small doses of rheubarb 
three times a day with no advantage. Then 
another considered the spine as the diseased point, 
and applied irritating ointments. Another pre- 



I 
I 



woman's profession. 145 

scribed galvanism, but could give no rule as to time 
or manner, or expected effects, but hoped that some- 
how it might do some good. Several prescribed 
local applications to the limb, which in all cases 
increased the difficulty. 

These all failing, I commenced my rounds to health 
establishments. The first was conducted by a saga- 
cious and learned German physician, who conjectur- 
ed that the cause of the lameness was the state of 
the blood, and used cold water to produce a skin 
eruption which came without any good result. But 
during a year's residence there, I saw most remarka- 
ble cures of many diseases, by treating the skin with 
alternations of heat and cold connected with simple 
food, and outdoor exercise. In repeated cases I saw 
thin, pale victims of tubercular consumption, some 
apparently in the last stages, changed to rosy, plump 
and vigorous women by this treatment. Here I also 
gained in vigor of mind and body, though under 
the most heroic water treatment, but the weak limb 
was unrelieved. 

Then I resorted to an establishment where the 
treatment was confined to simple food, only one or 



146 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

two articles being allowed at one meal. To this 
was added short gymnastic exercises, alternating 
with short periods of rest. Here I found that by 
reducing the quantity of food, and taking only one 
or two articles at a meal I gained both in flesh and 
strength, but the weak limb prevented the required 
exercises and was unrelieved. 

Then resort was had to an establishment where 
many women were cured of internal displacements 
and consequent evils, but a lady physician by proper 
investigation, decided that my lameness resulted 
from no such cause. There the physician instructed 
me in a course of exercises by which a forward 
curvature of the spine, caused by debility and use 
of supporters, was remedied, and the figure restored 
to the natural position, while at the same time the 
chest, and thus the breathing capacity, were enlarged 
so as to demand three inches added to waists and 
belts. Other cases I often have met of similar 
restoration of the figure, and enlargement of the 
chest, and compressed lungs, in several health 
establishments. 

In addition to all these, I have tried Sulphur and 



woman's profession. 147 

Yapor baths, Eussian baths, Chemical baths, Turk- 
ish hot air bath, and the Sun bath, and have seen 
patients benefited in all. Owing chiefly to my own 
knowledge and caution I was not injured myself by 
any, though I saw others, who, from ignorance, 
imprudence, or want of skill and care in the physi- 
cian were seriously injured in every one. 

I have also met persons who were benefited by 
the Grape Cure, and the Lifting Cure. Several 
friends have been treated by an ignorant tailor who 
taught his patients that the centre of the nervous 
system was the navel, and that he cured by opera- 
tions that disentangled the nerves that were gath- 
ered in bunches and knots. His method was 
to spend an hour daily with each patient in a 
continuous pressure and pinching of all parts of 
the body, which resulted in some remarkable cures 
in spite of his ridiculous theories. 

My final and only successful experiment was at 
the Swedish Movement Cure, under the care of Dr. 
Geo. H. Taylor. This method so far as I have 
observed, is the most reliable and efficacious remedy 
for debilitated nerves, and for the internal displace- 



148 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ments and diseases consequent on the courses by 
which so many women weaken the constitution or 
ruin the health. By this method the weak limb 
was first relieved, and after this, by a strict obedience 
to all the laws of health, for several years I have 
enjoyed perfect health. I have also been every 
year gaining in strength and in the increased power 
of faculties usually diminished by age. And should 
burnings, and crushings of railroads, and other 
casualties be escaped, I have a fair chance for at 
least another twenty years of health, and active 
usefulness. 

But this result has been gained not by any one 
method of medical treatment, but rather by faith- 
ful obedience to the laws of health, while it is 
preserved and continued only by the same. For 
whenever I failed in any one respect, my enfeebled 
nervous system, especially the weaker member, re- 
ported the wrong with marvelous precision. 

What has been gained is continued only by 
a faithful and diligent course, securing pure air 
by night and day; regular and abundant sleep 



woman's profession. 149 

in the hours of darkness, and no mental or phy- 
sical labor except by day; a daily towel bath in 
cool water in the sun or by a fire, except in hot 
weather ; living in light and well ventilated rooms, 
and often sitting in the sun ; abstinence from stim- 
ulating drinks of all kinds ; a simple diet of properly 
cooked food in a moderate quantity, and only at 
regular hours ; daily outdoor exercise by walking, 
riding, and use of the muscles of the arms and 
trunk ; clothing that never compresses any part 
and always protects from chills ; abstinence from 
over excitement of all kinds ; the cultivation of a 
cheerful and quiet spirit; healthful amusements; 
benevolent activity never to exceed the strength ; 
and all this prayerfully pursued as a religious duty 
owed to God, to my fellow men, and to myself. 

Another lesson illustrated by my experience, is 
the advance of medical science in detecting the 
causes of diseases so as to apply remedies intelli- 
gently. My case was simply prostration of the 
nervous system by mental care and labor, increased 
by a punctured nerve. And yet my medical advisers, 
most of them distinguished in their profession, 



150 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

treated me, one, for diseased stomach, another for 
diseased spine, another for diseased blood, and 
most of them applied stimulants to the weak part, 
always thus increasing the weakness. That was 
nearly forty years ago. Since then nervous diseases 
are better understood, while animal chemistry, the 
microscope, and the thermometer have furnished 
new means for intelligent search for causes of dis- 
ease. 

And yet our most learned physicians complain of 
the deficient education given to medical students, 
and their negligent practice in comparison with 
European methods. I have before me the Richmond 
and Louisville Medical Journal of 1869, which claims 
to be the largest medical monthly in this nation. 
In it I find a letter from Dr. W. 0. Baldwin, late 
President of the National Congress of physicians, 
asking from Dr. Wm. Neftel, of New York, late 
physician of the Russian Imperial Guard, an account 
of the course of medical study in Europe, and 
remarking that Dr. Neftel " beautifully illustrates 
by his example and by his valuable contributions to 



woman's profession. 151 

science, the wisdom of the system in which he was 
educated." 

In reply, Dr. Neftel states that the first requisi- 
tion in Europe for medical license, is a course of 
general study equal to that demanded in our col- 
leges, and in addition, a thorough knowledge of 
physics. Next follows four summer and four winter 
sessions in the medical department. The first two 
years are devoted to anatomy, histology, physiology, 
chemistry, pathological anatomy, general and spe- 
cial pathology and therapeutics, the principles of 
operative surgery and obstetrics, working at the 
same time in the chemical, physiological and path- 
ological laboratories. In the last sessions only 
the student attends the different clinics — medical, 
surgical, obstetrical, opthalmological, dermatolog- 
ical, and psychological. Then, under a professor 
some special branch of medical science is pursued. 

Dr. Neftel states as one cause of the advance of 
medical science in Germany and Russia, is the 
institution of free teachers or privat docents. These 
are students distinguished by original genius or 
great research, who in connexion with the faculty, 



152 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

become teachers, and have full access to laborato- 
ries, museums, and libraries. Many young physi- 
cians of talents thus rise to high positions, and 
from this class have risen the greatest men of 
science. Thus it is, also, that the German Univer- 
sities secure the best professors who devote their 
lives to science and instruction, with most admirable 
results. 

Another advantage to medical science in Ger- 
many, is the close connexion of the medical 
departments in the Universities with the other 
faculties of philosophy, law, and theology. In 
consequence of this, we find the greatest chemists 
and natural philosophers to be medical men, and a 
number of physiologists are great mathematicians. 

Dr. Neftel, after completing this course, was 
connected with medical departments in the Univer- 
sities of London, Paris, and Germany for four years. 
After this the adoption of republican opinions 
prevented his return to Russia, and led him to this 
country. 

It is by frequent intercourse with Dr. Neftel, and 
by observing his methods of detecting the causes of 



woman's profession. 153 

disease, that I have been deeply impressed with tho 
imperfect modes pursued by inexperienced practi- 
tioners, and even by some who stand high in the 
profession. For example, I took a friend to him 
who had been examined by several physicians of 
high standing. One of them decided that the 
disease was of the heart, another that it was of the 
liver, and a third that it was of the kidneys. But 
by the microscope and by chemical tests, it was 
proved that neither of these organs were diseased, 
and that all the symptoms were caused by miasmatic 
fungi in the blood. 

In the case of another lady I witnessed investi- 
gations to detect the cause of the frequent re-ap- 
pearance of carbuncles, which had not been sought 
for by other medical advisers ; they only prescribing 
modes of hastening and diminishing the crisis. To 
look at the tongue, feel the pulse, and hear a state- 
ment of the symptoms, is the common method, and 
then prescriptions are given of powerful chemical 
agents, which, if not suited to the case are injurious. 

Thus it comes to pass that the most learned and 



154 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

careful physicians are demanding an increase of 
medical educational advantages in our country. 

Thus also it has come to pass that health estab- 
lishments abound, in which the natural agencies of 
water, light, pure air, exercise, and simple diet are 
the chief medical agents employed. And in most 
cases the patients are those who have vainly tried 
the regular medical treatment. 

The great defect in all these institutions, so far 
as I have observed, is confinement to one special 
method, and a neglect of enforcing obedience to all 
the laws of health. For in not even one such 
institution have I ever known proper arrangements 
for securing pure air both night and day ; while in 
some the diet is at war with healthful digestion. 
To these evils add the ignorance of the patients in 
over-doing, and the want of skill, or care of the 
physician, and the result has been more mischief 
than benefit in many cases. For there is as much 
need of science and care in the physician in the use 
of these natural agents as in the more common 
methods. 

Kecently some of the most efficacious methods 



woman's profession. 155 

employed in Water Cure Establishments have re- 
ceived the sanction and approval of the highest 
medical practitioners in Europe. 

For in the Medical Record^ the leading periodical 
of N. York physicians, I find a paper read before 
the New York Academy of Medicine, in October, 
1868, by Dr. Neftel, in which he states that the 
most distinguished writers and practitioners in 
Europe now employ cold water for reducing fevers, 
just as for twenty years or more has been practiced 
in Water Cures. 

In this paper he says : " My first acquaintance 
with the use of water in diseases, was during the 
Crimean war, when a murderous epidemic of typhus 
fever prevailed, resisting every known method of treat- 
ment. Following the instincts of patients and 
watching the effects of cold water, I commenced 
treating with cold sponging and effusions and the 
result surpassed my hopes, and was far hettter than 
that obtained hy any other method. I myself was 
attacked by the disease and was saved from death 
only by my own mode of treatment. But still my 
treatment was purely empyrical and symptomatic. 



156 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

Soon after, this method was confirmed in the large 
hospitals of Russia, with excellent results.'* 

" The principal rule observed is never to allow 
the temperature (ascertained by a thermometer 
placed under the shoulder) to rise higher than 103 
Fahrenheit. The mildest degree of cooling is attained 
by sponging the whole body with cold water or by 
keeping the patient continually in a wet sheet. A 
wet cloth is laid on the head, and if not asleep, 
every quarter of an hour the patient is offered a 
little cold water to drink, and every three hours 
nourishing fluid food. The room is to be kept well 
ventilated and stimulants avoided." 

Dr. Neftel adds, " the effect of this treatment is 
so wonderful that those familiar with typhoid 
patients will not recognize them. By keeping the 
temperature below 103.1 Fahrenheit the exacerba- 
tions are avoided and the fever kept in a continu- 
ous remission. The patients are never unconscious, 
never delirious, the tongue always remains moist 
and clean, the bronchial catarrh is very slight, and 
so is the diarrhoea, if any at all. There is no tym- 
panites, no hemorrhage, no complication, and we 



woman's profession. 167 

have reason to believe the intestinal ulcerations do 
not occur at all. Under this treatment the course 
of typhoid fever is very mild and short, the conva- 
lescence very rapid, and the mortality none what- 
ever. A great number of patients treated by myself 
on this method, have recovered without exception. 
In this city I had a patient whose morning temper- 
ature once reached 106.34° Fahrenheit — a case abso- 
lutely fatal under every other treatment — and she is 
now recovering." 

"The thermometer indicates with the greatest 
exactness, the condition of the animal heat, the 
presence of fever, its degree, intensity and danger. 
It also traces the laws of the course of different 
types of disease, indicates transitions from one 
stage to another, the ameliorations and aggrava- 
tions, and the return of the normal condition. It 
enables us to form a correct diagnosis and prognosis, 
and gives us positive therapeutical indications." In 
conversation I enquired if all kinds of fevers should 
be subdued by this method, and was assured that 
this was the safest and surest mode for all. 

A scientific and very successful practitioner who 



158 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

managed a Water Cure Establishment, and was 
largely employed in the town around, stated that 
after a year or two of instruction in the use of cold 
water, he lost all his outside patients, as the mothers 
and housekeepers had learned to treat by his 
methods, and no longer needed his attention except 
in rare cases. 

I have stated that it was at the Swedish Move- 
ment Cure, under charge of Dr. Geo. H. Taylor, that 
the cause of my long invalidism and its remedy 
were ascertained. In addition to this personal 
benefit, I have learned the cause and the proper 
remedy of a class of female diseases which have 
baffled the most skillful practitioners and introduced 
methods in many ways so unfortunate, that my 
whole sex will eventually recognize as a great ben- 
efactor, the physician who has rendered them need- 
less, and introduced others at once philosophical, 
modest, and efficacious. 

Dr. Taylor's discoveries and methods are presented 
in his work on the Diseases of Women, published 
by George Maclean, 47 John Street, N. Y. This 
work has the approval of the leading physicians 



woman's profession. 159 

of Philadelphia and New York, and other distin- 
guished practitioners whose specialty has been in this 
department. If this work should find its way into 
every school and family, it probably would do more 
for the health of women and of the next genera- 
tion than any other similar measure that can be 
urged. 

The information I have gained in the modes 
narrated, has increased my conviction of the im- 
portance of giving to every woman a scientific train- 
ing for her profession as healthkeeper of the family 
state. Not that the long course needed for general 
medical practice should be attempted, which in the 
chief European Universities would demand ten and 
twelve years of study and training. Instead of this, 
I would propose a moderate course in physiology 
and animal chemistry, accompanied with instruction 
in practical scientific methods of employing water, 
light, heat, cold, air, exercise, and diet — both to 
prevent and to remedy diseases — nor should the 
application of these remedies be left entirely to the 
judgment and skill of women, even after such 
training, but be under the guidance of a physician, 



160 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

highly educated, so as to detect by careful inves- 
tigatiou the causes of disease, and of such another 
as Dr. Taylor, who has practised in both the Water 
and Movement Cures. 

I have stated that in one large town a Water Cure 
physician lost all his outside practice by instructing 
mothers and housekeepers how to use properly the 
methods of the Water Cure. If to these were added 
the practical methods of the Movement Cure, as 
conducted by Dr. G. H. Taylor, with the enforcement 
of all the laws of health in a given community, it is 
probable that all the physicians but those superin- 
tending these methods, would lose all their practice. 

One of the most judicious and well educated 
physicians I know, expressed the opinion that if a 
number of families in a town would unite to provide 
a salary to a good physician (the same as to a 
clergyman) who should visit each family to watch 
over the habits and health, and see all methods 
employed to keep them well, that in the end, it 
would prove a great piece of economy in money as 
well as in health. The sagacious Chinese have 



woman's profession. 161 

learned this, and pay their physicians so long as 
they are well, and stop paying when they are ill. 

But with us it is for the pecuniary interest of 
physicians to have sickness general in a community, 
and there is need of a profession whose honor and 
emolument depend on the prevention of all diseases. 
For this profession every woman, and especially 
every school-teacher should be carefully trained. 

If all the women teachers of this nation could be 
trained to be health-keepers under the supervision of 
the highest class of educated physicians, and 
then sent forth to lecture in all our school districts 
teaching mothers and housekeepers the laws of 
health, and the methods of the Water and Move- 
ment Cures, it is probable that health and long life 
would be doubled all over the nation. 

And here I would urge renewed attention to the 
state of female health in our country as exhibited 
in statistics published in a work of mine fifteen 
years ago, and introduced in a chapter placed at the 
end of this volume. I have never found any reason 
to doubt the correctness of the impression made by 
these statements at first, nor to suppose any marked 



162 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

improvement at the present time. For the diminn- 
tion of domestic labor by school girls of all ages 
and classes ; the increase of mental labor in public 
schools ; the increase of cares to mother and house- 
keepers in country as well as cities, from increase of 
the refinements of civilization ; the increased use 
of stoves and furnaces without proper arrangements 
for ventilation ; the increase of unhealthful labor 
for women in unventilated stores, shops, and mills ; 
the unhealthful fashions ol dress, and the fact that 
at this day women receive more delicate constitu- 
tions than those given by mothers of a former gen- 
eration ; all these things indicate an increase rather 
than a diminution of the causes that undermine the 
health of women. 

This brings me to the main object of this meeting, 
which is to enlist the interest and influence of the 
ladies present, in devising and executing plans for 
the proper education of the daughters of this city — 
by methods that shall remedy the evils that have 
been set forth, and which shall serve as a model to 
other cities and towns through our nation. 

In detailing an outline of the plan aimed at, I 



woman's profession. 163 

will first state that it has already received the 
approval of ladies of good judgment, and of practi- 
cal experience as mothers and housekeepers ; and 
also is approved by the Trustees of the II. F. Sem- 
inary. 

I appear at this time as the Secretary and Gen. 
Agent of the American Woman's Educational Asso- 
ciation. This consists of ladies of high character 
and position in various states which meets annually 
to receive reports of agents and direct their opera- 
tions. This Association has established several 
institutions at the West, the most important being 
the Milwaukee Female College. The method em- 
ployed was to take a school already organized as 
the nucleus, and then offer to the citizens to secure 
endowments to support teachers, on condition that 
they provided a suitable building and tuition fees to 
support a certain number of superior teachers. This 
was done, and for fifteen years that institution, in its 
primary, preparatory, and collegiate schools has suc- 
cessfully carried out one portion of the plan of the 
Association, some teachers being supported by en- 
dowments provided by the Association, and others 



164 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

by tuition fees. The chief agent of the Associa- 
tion has had the control and supeirision of this 
institution now numbering nearly 200 pupils from 
all the Protestant denominations. The chief diffi- 
culty has been the fact that the Association is 
located at the East, and its work done at the West. 

It is now proposed to carry out the plans of the 
Association more completely in an institution at the 
East, under the immediate charge of an Executive 
Committee, resident in the same place as the Insti- 
tution. 

It is proposed to organize the H. F. Seminary like 
that at Milwaukee, with Primary, Preparatory, and 
Collegiate schools all under the care of the Trustees 
as at present. These schools to be furnished by the 
citizens, with building, library, and apparatus equal 
to those of the High School, and a course of study 
instituted allowing entrance only at certain periods, 
and limiting the number of studies each term, as is 
done in the College and High School. Also to raise 
endowments to support two of the highest class of 
teachers, so that they can secure homes and salaries 
equal to those given to college professors. 



woman's profession. 165 

This being secured by the citizens, the Association 
will appoint their Executive Committee from ladies 
of this city, one from each denomination, and others 
be added, selected by them, also a certain number 
of the Trustees of the Seminary to become members. 
Then the managers will appoint a collecting agent 
to raise funds to establish a University School with 
diverse departments, in which pupils of the Semi- 
nary and others shall be trained for all the distinct- 
ive duties of women, and all who wish it also be 
trained for some suitable womanly employment or 
profession by which to earn an honorable independ- 
ence. 

The first organized departments of the University 
would be the Normal and Health departments. Two 
highly educated ladies would become the Principals, 
and Dr. Neftel, and Dr. Taylor have engaged to 
act as superintending physicians. The Association 
will aim to provide land and buildings for these 
departments, and support the two lady prlncij)als 
so that they can receive into their families two 
classes. During the months of July and August, 
when most teachers have vacations, the class will 



166 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

consist of enfeebled and exhausted teachers to be 
restored and trained to teach our system of Calis- 
thenics, and to administer the methods of the Water 
Cure, and Movement Cure, and also to lecture on 
the laws of health in the communities to which they 
will return. 

At all other periods of the year, these families 
will consist of young girls of delicate constitutions 
or poor health, to be trained to health and vigor, 
and at the same time to pursue a moderate course of 
study in the Seminary classes. These lady principals 
will also take charge of the Seminary classes in Do- 
mestic Science, Physiology, Animal Chemistry, Bota- 
ny, and Calisthenics under direction of the Principals 
of the Seminary. On this plan two teachers will be 
supported by endowments provided by the citizens, 
and two by endowments provided by the Association. 

The Trustees of the Seminary will control all 
funds given for the Primary, Preparatory, and Col- 
legiate schools, and the Executive Committee of the 
Association will control the funds given for the 
University department. As to the probability of 
raising endowments, the former agent of the Asso- 



woman's profession. 167 

elation testifies that he was cordially welcomed to 
the pulpits of almost every Protestant denomination 
and sometimes took larger collections than were 
given for any other objects. 

There is one reason for endowing the H. F. Semi- 
nary, little understood. Three female institutions are 
soon to go into operation in Massachusetts, one en- 
dowed with a million and a half, another with half a 
million, a third very largely provided. These will 
offer advantages and salaries commanding the best 
teachers, and the public High Schools will do the 
same. Thus the boarding and other pay schools 
not endowed, will soon lose their best teachers and 
take up only with a humbler class. This, and the 
multiplication of studies and classes, will make 
boarding and day schools for tlie wealthy class, 
unless endowed, very inferior to the public High 
schools and endowed institutions. 

Many female colleges have attempted a regular 
course of study demanding few classes for each 
term, and that all pupils enter at regular periods. 
But not one that I know of, has raised endowments 
to support teachers. Not even Yassar, though pro- 
vided with over half a million, has a single endow- 



168 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

merit to support a teacher. All has been spent in 
expensive grounds, buildings, and furniture to draw 
pupils from parental watch and care. 

If this half million had been devoted to providing 
endowments for this Seminary, some ten or twelve 
of the highest class of women teachers might have 
permanent positions and incomes. 

In reference to the patronage to be expected for 
the health department, Dr. Dio Lewis gained very 
large patronage by taking charge of young girls in 
delicate health who thronged from every part of the 
nation. 

I will close by giving a specimen of the applica- 
tions constantly made to me from all quarters for 
teachers out of health. I think if it were notified 
in the public prints that help could be given to such 
applications, they would count more by thousands 
than by hundreds. 

So much and so often have I been pained to turn 
away from such piteous appeals, that nothing but 
the hope of some day meeting such a sympathizing 
and influential body of friends and followers of 
Christ, has sustained me. 



woman's profession. 169 

" Dear Miss Beecher : 

"Having read of your plans for aiding teachers in 
regaining health, I address you in behalf of a dear and 
only child. I myself was a teacher, and by intense interest 
and labor lost my health. My marriage afterwards was 
unfortunate, and ever since the birth of this child I have 
had to struggle alone and with poor health to support her 
and myself by my needle. 

" My child is fond of study, .s a graduate of one of the 
best public schools, and afterward attended an excellent 
Grammar school in N. York city. The principal told me 
she was the brightest in her class, and had a depth and 
clearness of mind unusual in her age. She was much 
beloved in her classes, especially by her teachers. 

"But her studies were too severe, and for a long time 
she has not been able to study or do much except practice 
on the piano, for which she had the best of teachers, and 
would like to teach it when her head gets stronger. I 
have consulted one of the best physicians, and he says she 
may recover in time, that too much study is the cause of 
her trouble, and that she must not study at all. 

" Dear Miss Beecher, you cannot imagine how great is 
my interest in your plans, and how I long to place my 
daughter under your care. I thought the anxieties of a 
mother would prove some claim on your kindness, and 
that you would excuse me for applying to you for advice 
and help. If my child could go into some christian home 



170 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

near the sea-side and do light work to pay for her board, 
she would be willing to do so ; and perhaps could teach 
one or two scholars in music. The poor child now feels 
distressed and discouraged, and I know not what to do. 
She is a Christian believer and a member of the church, 
and I hope our Heavenly Father will show us some way 
of help and comfort in this our low estate." 



AlSr ADDRJESS 
TO THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF AMERICA. 



My Dear and Honored Countrywomen : 

When I wrote the first address in this volume, t 
had a very imperfect idea ol the scope and magni- 
tude of the questions which the women of this na- 
tion, who aim to be followers of Jesus Christ, will 
soon be called to investigate and to decide — ques- 
tions which are the very foundation principles of 
both morals and religion — questions which every 
woman must settle for herself aided by common 
sense, the Bible, and the Divine aid obtained by 
prayer. 

To us Jesus Christ appears as the only one born 
into this world who lived to maturity, then died and 
then returned to life again ; first to prove that death 
does not end our existence, and next to teach what 
awaits us in the invisible world to which we all are 
hastening. 

Let those who have mused in lonely sorrow 

(171) 



172 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

by the grave of the dearest friends and asked with 
infinite longings — where are they ? is this the end ? 
are we too to lie down in utter annihilation ? — say 
how we could have these questions answered so as 
to best secure a comforting belief? Should we not 
say let our well-known, well-beloved friends, come 
forth from the tomb and live with us again — walk, 
talk, eat, sleep, and act, as in past times — and this 
for days and weeks and not alone with us, but with 
many others who had known them through life ? Can 
we imagine anything to ask more satisfactory than 
this, to prove that death does not end our existence ? 
Suppose that Abraham Lincoln, after his body 
had lain in state for three days, had risen from his 
coffin and for thirty days had been surrounded by 
his family, his cabinet, his personal friends, and by 
as many as three hundred persons who knew him 
well ; can we conceive of anything more satisfactory 
to prove that death does not destroy the soul ? And 
would not his honest teachings of what is to be ex- 
perienced after death, be sought as the most reliable 
evidence possible of what awaits, us all when we pass 
to the invisible world? 



woman's profession. 173 

This is exactly what the believers in the Christian 
religion claim was done for us when Jesus Christ 
came and dwelt on earth for thirty-three years, then 
was slain by enemies determined to prevent his 
predicted resurrection, and then arose from the dead, 
bringing life and immortality to light. And why 
did this good Being come and dwell on earth, then 
die, and then arise from the dead? It was to teach 
us not only that an immortal existence stretches 
before us after death, but that the happiness of that 
immortality depends on the character which is formed 
by education here. 

What then is the character which we are to seek 
in order to attain immortal blessedness ? The first 
sermon of our Lord has this very topic as its burden : 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit," — those who feel 
the need ot knowledge, guidance, and help. 

" Blessed are the meek," — ^those that receive re- 
buke and instruction without anger. 

" Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after 
righteousness," — those that long to know what is 
the right way, and to walk in it. 

" Blessed are the happiness makers^''^ — those who 

* This is a more exact translation than " Blesssd are the peace- 
makers." 



174 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

maKe happiness the right way, as taught by the 
Master — "for they are the children of God," — hav- 
ing His nature as the child has the father's nature, 
and they are to dwell with Him forever. 

It is such who are to " rejoice and be exceeding 
glad" even when persecuted, hated, and reviled, for 
right words and actions. It is such who are to 
enter the kingdom of Heaven. 

And what is this kingdom I It is one made up 
of the righteous, those who long to know what is 
right and to do it, who hunger and thirst after right- 
eousness, and so are forever to be satisfied. And 
then the Master teaches that His kingdom is not of 
this world, but exactly the opposite. For the chil- 
dren of this world do not feel poor in spirit, but 
rather seek to be called Rabbi, and to teach others. 
They do not wish to be told of their ignorance, mis- 
takes and sins, and are angry when it is done. They 
do not hunger and thirst to find the lowly way of 
righteousness, but rather the way of riches, honor, 
and power. 

They do not seek to become true '' happiness 
makers " as taught by the words and example of the 



woman's profession. 175 

Master, taking a humble place, going about and 
doing good, and working for others more than for 
self. Instead of this they work and plan for self, 
first, and then for those belonging to self, and care 
little for the world that the Master came to save. 
Thej seek to be at the top and to have all below 
look up to them. 

Now the family state is instituted to educate our 
race to the Christian character, — to train the 
young to be followers of Christ. Woman is its chief 
minister, and the work to be done is the most diffi- 
cult of all, requiring not only intellectual power but 
a moral training nowhere else so attainable as in 
the humble, laborious, daily duties of the family 

state. 

Woman's great mission is to train immature, weak, 
and ignorant creatures, to obey the laws of God ; 
the physical, the intellectual, the social, and the 
moral — first in the family, then in the school, then 
in the neighborhood, then in the nation, then in the 
world — that great family of God whom the Master 
came to teach and to save. And His most compre- 
hensive rule is, " Thou shall love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart," and "this is the love of God 



176 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

that ye keep His commandments." And next, 
" Thou shalt love tliy neighbor as thyself." These 
two the Master teaches are the chief end of man and 
includes all taught by Moses and the prophets. This 
then is woman's work, to train the young in the 
family and the school to obey Crod's laws as learned 
partly by experience, partly by human teaching and 
example, and partly by revelations from God. 

But the most solemn duty of the Christian woman 
is the motives she is to employ in training to this 
obedience. The motives used by the worldly educa- 
tor are the gain or loss of earthly .pleasures, honors, 
and comforts. But the truly christian woman feels 
and presents as the grand motive, the dangers of the 
future life from which our Lord came to save us, 
and these so dreadful that all we most value in this 
life are to be made secondary and subordinate, while 
the chief concern is, not mainly to save self, but 
rather to save ourselves by laboring to save others 
from ignorance of God's laws and to secure the 
obedience indispensable to future eternal safety. 

And this is to be done at a period when this great 
motive of Christ's religion is more and more pass- 



woman's profession. 17 T 

ing out of regard, even in the Christian church. 
So much is this the case, that the world has good 
reason to say that while most creeds and preachers 
teach it in words, few really believe it. For "it is 
actions that speak louder than words," as to what 

is believed. 

For example, if a company of amiable persons 
were told that a shipwreck was close at hand and 
help needed to save the strugghng passengers, and 
yet, after a few enquiries, all went on as before, it 
would justly be said that these persons do not be- 
lieve in the messenger and his message. But sup- 
pose another company, on hearing the news, rush 
out amid the darkness and danger, to help; this 
would prove their faith in the messenger and his 
story. 

Now no earthly danger can compare with those 
revealed by our Lord as threatening every child 
born into this life ; and He also teaches that the 
oiumher saved depends on the self-denying labors of 
His followers. With small exceptions, all the Chris- 
tian churches profess to believe this, and that the 
first concern of Christian life is to save as many as 



178 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

possible. And yet where is the practical evidence 
that this is believed ? 

If these teachings of Christ were fully and prac- 
tically believed, would it not so divide the church 
from the world that there could be no mistake as 
to who are christians and who are not? And is 
there any such marked divisions in most of our 
churches ? 

It may be urged tiiat this doctrine has been set 
forth with such hideous detail and additions entirely 
unwarranted by the Bible and so abhorrent to the 
best feelings of humanity, that the more men become 
humane and Christ-like the more they revolt from 
it.* 

Yet if this be so, the fact remains that Jesus 
Christ, the only reliable messenger from the invisible 
world, has in the strongest language both literal and 
figurative, set forth these dangers and enjoined on 
his followers as their first concern, to save as many 
as possible, by training them to a knowledge of 
God's laws and to habitual obedience to them. And 
is there not a want of helief in this — that is, a want 

* Note C 



woman's profession. 179 

thai practical faith in Christ and his message, which 
it is the great and chief mission of woman to secure 
by her ministry in the family and school ? She it is 
who daily is to train all under her care to become 
righteous, that is, to feel and act right according to the 
rules of right revealed by Jesus Christ. She is to 
teach that "repentance" which consists in such sor- 
row for wrong doing as involves turning from it, and 
such love as secures obedience to the Lord and Savior. 
Now the Christian woman in the family and in 
the school is the most complete autocrat that is 
known, as the care of the helpless little ones, the 
guidance of their intellect, and the formation of all 
their habits, are given to her supreme control. 
Scarcely less is she mistress and autocrat over a 
husband, whose character, comfort, peace, and pros- 
perity, are all in her power. In this responsible 
position is she to teach, by word and example, as 
did Jesus Christ? Is she to set an example to chil- 
dren and servants not only of that of a ruler, but 
also of obedience as a subordinate? In the civil 
state her sons will be subjects to rulers who are 
weak and wicked, just as she may be subject to a 



180 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

husband and father every way her inferior in ability 
and moral worth. Shall she teach her children 
and servants by her own example to be humble, obe- 
dient, meek, patient, forgiving, gentle, and loving, 
even to the evil and unthankful, or shall she form 
rebellious parties and carry her points by contest 
and discord ? God has given man the physical pow- 
er, the power of the purse, and the civil power, and 
woman must submit with Christian equanimity or 
contend. What is the answer of common sense, and 
what are the teachings of Christ and His Apostles ? 
Let every woman who is musing on these ques- 
tions, take a reference Bible and examine all the 
New Testament directions on the duties of the fam- 
ily state, and she will have no difficulty in deciding 
what was the view of Christ and His Apostles as to 
woman's position and duties. She is a subordinate 
in the family state, just as her father, husband, 
brother, and sons are subordinates in the civil state. 
And the same rules that are to guide them are to 
guide her. She and they are to be-obedient to " the 
higher powers " — those that can force obedience — 
except when their demands are contrary to the high- 



woman's profession. 181 

er law of God, and in such a conflict they are " to 
obey God rather than man," and take the conse- 
quences whatever they may be. And a woman has 
no more difficulty in deciding when to obey God 
rather than man in the family state than her hus- 
band, father, and sons have, in the civil state. And 
obedience in the family to "the higher power" held 
by man, is no more a humiliation than is man's obe- 
dience to a civil ruler. 

If this be so, then the doctrine of woman's subju- 
gation is established and the opposing doctrine of 
Stuart Mills and his followers is in direct opposition 
to the teachings both of common sense and Chris- 
tianity. 

There is a moral power given to woman in the 
family state much more controlling and abiding than 
the inferior, physical power conferred on man. (And 
the more men are trained to refinement, honor, and 
benevolence, the more this moral power of woman 
is increased, j This is painfully illustrated in cases 
where an amiable and Christian man is bound for 
life to an unreasonable, selfish, and obstinate woman. 
With such a woman reasoning is useless, and phys- 



182 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ical force alone can conquer, and this such a man 
cannot employ. The only alternatives are cease- 
less conflicts, at the sacrifice of conscience and 
self-respect, or hopeless submission to a daily and 
grinding tyranny. 

The general principles to guide both men and 
women as to the duties of those in a subordinate 
station, have been made clear by discussions relat- 
ing to civil government. But the corresponding 
duties of those invested with power and authority 
have not been so clearly set forth, especially those 
of the family state. "While the duties of subordina- 
tion, subjection, and obedience, have been abund- 
antly enforced on woman, the corresponding duties 
of man as head and ruler of the family state have 
not received equal attention either from the pulpit 
or the press. And this is not because they are not 
as difficult, as important and as clearly taught by the 
Master and the Apostles of Christianity. 

St. Paul, who, while he dwelt in retirement in Ara- 
bia, received the direct instructions of Jesus Christ, 
claims to have full authority from the Master to in- 
struct on this important and fundamental topic, and 



woman's profession. 183 

in his Epistle to the Epliesians we have his express 
and full teachings. In this most interesting passage 
we find that the family state is the emblem to repre- 
sent Jesus Christ and the Church — the Church 
"which is the great company of faithful people" in 
all ages and all lands — those who are appointed to 
guide and save the world — the true educators of our 
race, who, by self-denying labors are to train men 
for Heaven. Of this body the Apostles teaches that 
Jesus Christ is the head — ^those whom He has re- 
deemed by His labor and sacrifice, and who are to 
train as His children all whom they can res- 
cue from ignorance and sin, by similar labor and 
sacrifice. 

It is in this connection that he sets forth the du- 
ties of the family state, Ephesians v : 22 to 33, 
" Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands 
as unto the Lord. For the husband is head of the 
wife, even as Christ is head of the Church : There- 
fore, as the Church is subject to Christ so let the 
wives be to their own husbands in everything." 

" Husbands love your wives even as Christ also 
loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He 



184 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of 
water by the word, that He might present it to Him- 
self, a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle 
or any such thing, but that it should be holy and 
without blemish. So ought men to love their wives 
as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife lovetli 
himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, 
but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord 
the Church. For we are members of His body, of 
His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a 
man leave his father and mother and shall be joined 
unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." 

No wonder these directions close with " this is a 
great mystery" ; for the most advanced followers of 
Christ have but just begun to understand the solemn 
relations and duties of the family state — man the 
head, protector, and provider- — woman the chief ed- 
ucator of immortal minds — man to labor and suffer 
to train and elevate woman for her high calling, 
woman to set an example of meekness, gentleness, 
obedience, and self-denying love, as she guides her 
children and servants heavenward. 

It is this comprehensive view of the family state 



woman's profession. 185 

as organized to train immortal minds for the eternal 
world that indicates the reason for the stringency 
of the teachings of our Lord as to the indissoluble 
union of man and wife in marriage. 

" And he said unto them, Moses, because of the hardness 
of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives ; but 
from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, 
whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for forni- 
cation, and shall marry another committeth adultery ; and 
whosoever marrieth her that is put away doth commit 
adultery." 

" Have ye not read that He which made them at the 
beginning made them male and female, and said, For this 
cause shall a man leave father and niother and shall cleave 
to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. What there- 
fore God hath joined together let not man put asunder." 

This then is "the higher law" which abrogates 
all contrary human statutes and forbids to marry 
more than once, except when death or adultery breaks 
the bond. This statute brings all the advocates of 
free divorce in direct antagonism with the teachings 
of Jesus Christ. And it is a striking fact that the 
great body of those who advocate free divorce and 
free love, deny the authority of Jesus Christ as the 
authorized teacher of faith and morals. 



186 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

In the discussions as to woman's rights and 
wrongs, it is assumed on one side that she is not to 
take a subordinate position either in the family or 
the State. And the apparent plausibility of the 
claim is owing to a want of logical clearness in the 
use of words. When it is said that " all men are 
created free and equal and equally entitled to life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and that 
women as much as men are included, it is true in 
one use of terms and false in another. It is true in 
this sense, that woman's happiness and usefulness 
are equal in value to man's, and ought to be so 
treated. But it is not true that women are and 
should be treated as the equals of men in every re- 
spect. They certainly are not his equals in physical 
power, which is the final resort in government of both 
the family and the State. And it is owing to this 
fact that she is placed as a subordinate both in the 
family and the State. At the same time it is re- 
quired of man who is holding " the higher powers" 
so to administer that woman shall have equal ad- 
vantages with man for usefulness and happiness. 

Hitherto the laws relating to women in the civil 



I 



woman's profession. 187 

state have been formed on the assumption that so- 
ciety is a combination of families, in each of which 
the husband and father is the representative head, 
and the one who, it is supposed, will secure all that 
is just and proper for the protection and well being 
of wife and daughters. And if the teachings of Chris- 
tianity were dominant, and every man loved his 
wife as himself, and was ready to sacrifice himself 
and suifer for her elevation and improvement, even 
as Christ suffered to redeem and purify the Church, 
there would be no trouble. 

But both men and women have been selfish and 
sinful, neither party having attained the high ideal 
of Christianity, and very many have not even under- 
stood it so as to aim at it. But it is woman's mis- 
sion as the educator of the race to remedy the evil, 
not by giving up the ideal but by striving more and 
more to conform herself and all under her care to its 
blessed outlines. And in past times those families 
have been the most peaceful and prosperous where 
the wife and mother has most faithfully aimed to 
obey the teachings of Christ and His Apostles, in 
this as in every other direction. 



188 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

The principle of subordination is the great bond 
of union and harmony through the universe. At 
the head is the loving Father and Lord whom all 
are to obey^with perfect faith and submission. Then 
revelations teaches that in the invisible world are 
superior and subordinate ranks, each owing obedi- 
ence to superiors in station and described as "thrones, 
dominions, principalities, and powers." Again, in 
this world are also suoeriors and subordinates, not 
only in the family state but in all kinds of business 
where heads of establishments and master workmen 
demand implicit laitii and obedience. 

This being so, one of the most important respon- 
sibilities of a woman in the lamily state is to train 
the young in this duty, not only by precept but also 
by example. And a woman who clearly understands 
the importance of this, will pride herself on her im- 
plicit obedience to the official head of the family 
state, as much so as the citizen or soldier does to 
his superior officer, or the subordinate operator to 
his master-workman. 

But at the same time, such a woman will demand 
and expect a return for this submission, that the 



woman's profession. 189 

husband and father fulfil his corresponding and 
more difficult duties; to love liis wife as himself; 
to honor her 2^,^ physically the weaker vessel needing 
more tender care and less exposure and labor ; to 
suffer for her in order to increase her improvement, 
usefulness, and happiness, even as the Lord suffered 
to elevate and purify his followers. 

The duty of subordination, though so fundamental 
and important, is one to which all minds are natu- 
rally averse. For every mind seeks to follow its own 
judgment and wishes rather than those of another. 
Especially is this the case with persons of great 
sensibilities and strong will. It is owing to this 
that so many women of this class are followers of 
Stuart Mills' doctrine that a wife is not a subordi- 
nate in the family state. And it is for want of clear 
instruction on this subject from the pulpit and the 
press that this doctrine spreads so fast and so widely. 

The agitation at the present time in regard to 
woman's right and wrongs is greatly owing to the 
fact that, from various causes, large multitudes of 
women arc without the love and protection secured 
by marriage. And yet the laws and customs of so- 



190 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

ciety are framed on the general rule that every man 
is to be head of a family and every woman a wife. 
But war, emigration, vicious indulgencies, and many 
i other causes have rendered marriage impossible to 
multitudes of women ; counting by tens of thousands 
in the older States, and by hundreds of thou- 
sands in our nation. A large portion of these women 
must earn their own independence, while those who 
are provided with a support are embarrassed by false 
• customs or unjust laws. In regard to the multi- 
tudes of women who flock to our cities and to such 
direful temptations it is often said, why " do they not 
become servants in families ?" Let any woman who 
has a young daughter ponder this question as one 
that may reach her own family. Does not almost 
every woman feel, more or less, the bondage of caste 
and shrink from taking the lowest- place^ even though 
the Lord of Glory set the example ? 

And is it not the chief attraction toward our pity- 
ing Saviour that He loves and tenderly cares for the 
weak, the wandering and the lost? And are we not 
walking in His steps when we try to help the weak 
and foolish who will not take care of themselves ? 



woman's profession. 191 

That there is an emergency which demands 
changes in our customs and laws, all well informed 
and benevolent persons will concede. But the main 
question is, what should be the nature of these 
changes and how shall they be secured ? 

There are certain customs of society which are 
based on the assumption that all women are to mar- 
ry and be supported by husbands, and that all men 
are to provide for the support of a family. It is on 
this assumption that, in cases where men and women 
do the same work and do it equally well, men receive 
much larger wages than women. 

But as emigration, war, and the vices of unre- 
strained civilization have interfered with this normal 
condition of society, the laws and customs should 
be modified to meet the emergency. For there are 
many wrongs, both to married and unmarried 
women, consequent on the present false and un- 
christian state of things. 

As one example of injustice, it is granted by all 
who superintend public schools, that women are as 
good and often better teachers than men, and yet 
they are unjustly denied equal compensation. In 



192 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

many other directions the same unjust custom pre- 
vails. Still more unjust is the custom which gives 
superior advantages to men for the scientific and 
practical training for a profession by which an hon- 
orable independence may be secured and almost 
none at all are provided for women. So also in 
the distribution of public offices of trust and emol- 
ument which secure an income from the civil state, 
there are several in which woman can perform the 
duties as well or better then men, especially in the 
care of schools, hospitals, jails, and all public insti- 
tutions of benevolence. 

Almost all persons of intelligence will concede 
that justice and mercy call for changes and improve- 
ment in these particulars. The main question is, 
what is the best method for securing such improve- 
ment ? 

The party of men and women who are demanding 
woman suffrage claim that this is the only sure and 
effective remedy for these and all other wrongs that 
oppress women both in the family and in the civil 
state. The party is organized and led by intelligent, 
energetic, and benevolent women ; they have well- 



woman's profession. 193 

conducted periodicals to urge their views and to ex- 
cite sympathy by details of the various ways in 
which women suffer from unjust customs and laws ; 
and they are sustained by the approval and co-oper- 
ation of many gentlemen of talents and benevolence. 

But the great majority of intelligent and benevo- 
lent men and women are opposed to this measure, 
first, on account of the probable evils involved and 
next because the good aimed at may be secured by a 
safer, more speedy, and more appropriate method. 

In enumerating the evils that would result from 
introducing woman to the responsibilities and ex- 
citements of political life, the most prominent is her 
increased withdrawal from the more humble, but 
more important offices of the family state. At the 
present time, the services of the seamstress and the 
mantau-maker are imperfectly supplied, and when ob- 
tained it is often from those who are poorly trained. 
An economical, trustworthy, and competent cook, is 
a treasure growing more and more rare, which often 
the highest wages cannot procure. A kind, intelli- 
gent, and affectionate woman, to aid a mother in the 
cares of the nursery, is still more rare. 



194 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

If the good mothers and grandmothers, who have 
trained their own offspring, would take pity on the 
young mothers all over the land who are suffering 
for want of just such sympathy and help as only 
such women can bestow, they would soon find, espe- 
cially in the poorer classes, a field of usefulness far 
more in keeping with the tender spirit of Christian 
love and humility than any offices that political ac- 
tion would provide. 

Again, the demand for well trained governesses 
and family teachers is unsupplied, while multitudes 
of children all over the nation have no teachers and 
no schools of any kind. To open avenues to politi- 
cal place and power for all classes of women would 
cause these humble labors of the family and school 
to be still more undervalued and shunned. 

Another evil to be apprehended from introducing 
women into political life is increasing the tempta- 
tions to draw them from the humble, self-sacrificing 
Christian labor among the ignorant and neglected, 
which now is so imperfectly supplied. To be a 
member of the Legislature, a member of Congress, 
a Judge, a Governor, or a President, are temptations 



woman's profession. 195 

heretofore unknown to women. Who shall say 
what would be the result should every woman of 
every class in society be stimulated by such tempta- 
tions ? 

Another danger to be feared, is the introducing 
into political strifes the distinctive power of sex, an 
element as yet untried in our form of government. 
In some short experiments that have been made we 
have seen how pure and intelligent women can be 
deceived and misled by the baser sort, their very in- 
nocence and inexperience making them credulous 
and the helpless tools of the guilty and bold. 

Another danger from universal woman suffrage 
would result from the course that would be taken 
by many of the most virtuous and intelligent women. 
Of those who would regard this measure as an act 
of injustice and oppression, forcing duties on their 
sex unsuited to their character and circumstances, 
. many would refuse to assume any such responsibili- 
ties. Thus a large number of the most intelligent 
and conscientious women would be withdrawn from 
the polls, increasing the relative proportion of the 
ignorant and incompetent voters, a class that already 



196 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

bring doubt on the success of republican institu- 
tions. On the other hand, another portion would 
be forced to the polls by conscientious motives, and 
there meet the lowest and vilest of their sex as those 
who are to appoint their rulers and decide their 
laws. How would it be possible for such women to 
honor the rulers and respect the laws instituted by 
such agencies ? 

The final objection to universal woman suffrage is 
that there is another safer, surer, and more speedy 
method at command which would secure all the 
benefits aimed at without any of these dangers. 

This method is based on the general principle that 
in seeking either favors or rights it is a wise policy 
to assume the good character and good intentions 
of those who have the power to give or withold. The 
law-making power is now in the hands of men, and 
the advocates of women suffrage practically are say- 
ing, " you men are so selfish and unjust that you can- 
not be trusted with the interests of your wives, 
daughters, and sisters ; therefore give them the law- 
making power that they may take care of them- 
selves." 



woman's profession. 197 

As a mere matter of policy, to say nothing of 
justice, how much wiser it would be to assume that 
men are ready and willing to change unjust laws and 
customs whenever the better way is made clear and 
then to ask to have all evils that laws can remedy 
removed. Whenever this course has been practiced 
it has always been successful and therefore should 
first be tried. For any men who would give up the 
law-making power to women in order to remedy ex- 
isting evils, would surely be those most ready to 
enact the needful laws themselves. 

The woman suffrage party is so extensively or- 
ganized, with such energetic and persistent leaders 
and such ably conducted papers and tracts, that 
those of our sex who are opposed to this measure 
begin to feel disturbed and anxious lest it should 
finally be consummated. Instead of meeting this 
danger by ridicule and obloquy I would suggest 
that practical methods be instituted in which con- 
servative men and women can unite, and which the 
most radical will approve and aid. 

There are many ways in which great influence 
can be exerted without any regular organization or 



198 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

establishing newspapers or circulating tracts as is 
now so vigorously carried on by those favoring 
woman suffrage. One method might be enlisting 
editors of newspapers and magazines to promote the 
circulation of this little volume and also to insert 
extracts of some of the most effective portions in 
their columns. Another might be to present this 
work to the clergymen and seek their influence and 
counsel in promoting its aims.* 

Still another might be, efforts to promote the es- 
tablishment of such a University for Women as the 
one here indicated, commencing with seeking en- 
dowments for the Health and Domestic departments 
in connection with some flourishing literary institu- 
tion, for the purpose of restoring women teachers 
to health, and also for training pupils to become 
health-keepers in families, schools, and communities. 

The importance of this last measure will appear 
in the following extract from a public address of a 
regularly educated American physician : 

* A small periodical, published in Baltimore, Md., entitled the 
True Woman, ably edited by Mrs. Charlotte E. McKay, is valuable 
as a cheap and excellent tract with the same aim. 



woman's profession. 199 

It is much to be deplored that we have no chair devoted 
to Hygiene in any of our medical colleges. During four 
courses of Lectures, that I attended, one of them in Paris, 
I never heard a single lecture upon the Laws of Health ; 
and when on one occasion I asked one of our Professors 
if he would not devote one or more of his course to this 
subject, he replied, that he ought to, but feared he would 
not find time ; and then jokingly remarked, that we would 
find it more to our interests to learn how to cure people 
than to keep them well ; that we would get gratitude and 
money for healing the sick, but neither the one nor the 
other for preserving the health of the people, however well 
we might do it. 

I have since found that there was more truth in the re- 
mark then I was then willing to admit. Still, I cannot 
help thinking that we should have such Lectures in every 
medical school, if for no other purpose but to enable its 
graduates to heal the sick — confident that more can be 
gained in this way by a thorough knowledge of Hygiene, 
than by any other means whatever. No drug or medicine 
is as powerful for good in disease as a wise advantage of 
Nature's laws. 

We spent in one Session over three weeks in the study 
of Mercury, its different preparations, effects, etc. ; not one 
hour in learning the value of Light, Air, Sleep, Food, and 
Clothing. The result was we know much about Calomel, 
and literally nothing about the Laws of Health ; so we sat, 
something over four hundred students, for five or six hours 



200 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

daily, in a room — an amphitheatre — the seats extending 
from the floor to the ceiling — so small, that another hund- 
red could not possibly be packed into it — and not a win- 
dow opened all winter — no ventilation whatever — a regu- 
lar " black hole of Calcutta " — the air heavy, foul, offensive 
with bad breaths — the odors of tobacco, liquor, onions — 
poisonous in the extreme — not a fresh cheek among the 
four hundred. Many of the students drank ; most of them 
used tobacco, coffee, sausages, pork, in short lived like bar- 
barians. A large proportion of them were ill all the time, 
and some died before the session closed, others soon after, 
and many since. The professors themselves were often 
ailing — not very healthy men. If any of my readers will 
step into any of the medical lectures in any of the colleges 
of this city, some winter afternoon, he will be able to verify 
the truth of this description. Their presiding genius seems 
to have no respect for fresh air, sunlight — in short for the 
laws of health. How then shall these schools inspire re- 
sjDect for these laws in others ? How can they teach them 
when they know so little of them ? 

Dr. Willard Parker, of New York, in a recent pub- 
lic address also has lamented the fact that a Woman's 
Medical College should be the first one sustaining 
a Chair for instructing in Hygiene, as if it were a 
conceded fact that it is not the business of. physi- 
cians to prevent disease in a community, but only 
to cure their patients with medicines. 



woman's profession. 201 

Is it not a proper time and measure for the women 
of our country to ask for benefactions, both private 
and legislative, to secure equal advantage for their 
professional duty as health-keepers, such as have so 
long and so liberally been bestowed on men to train 
them for their professions ? 

Believing that such a measure would meet wide 
approval, the following form of petition is drawn up, 
which might be used in every State ; 

To the honorable members of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives of the State of — .* 



We the undersigned, ladies of the State of 

and gentlemen citizens of the same, respectfully petition 
that an appropriation be made to endow one department 
of a Woman's University under charge of the Trustees 

of Seminary ; the object of which shall be to train 

school-teachers and house-keepers in all that relates to 
health in schools and families, and that this endowment 
be made equal to what has been or may be given to endow 
Scientific Schools for young men ; and also that this be 
given on condition that the citizens of the place give an 
equal sum to promote the scientific and practical training 
of women for their distinctive professions. 

It is believed that there is not a single state in 
the Union where such a petition signed by a large 



202 WOMAV SUFFRAGE AND 

portion of the intelligent women of the state, "would 
fail. The difficulty is not that the fathers, husbands, 
and brothers are not ready to bestow all that such 
women would unite in asking, but rather that women 
do not so feel the importance of such measures as 
to unite in such a petition. 

It appears in the preceding pages that the daugh- 
ters of the more wealthy classes who are educated 
in boarding schools and most academies and female 
colleges cannot enjoy advantages equal to what are 
given gratuitously in our best public High Schools 
to the children of the poor. Instead of following 
in the rear of public schools, those who have wealth 
should aim to elevate the public schools by the ex- 
ample of institutions of the highest order for their 
own daughters. And they also would be doubly 
blest if they would set an example that should both 
dignify labor and protect their daughters from help- 
less poverty should reverses come, by having them 
trained to some profession by which they could earn 
an honorable independence. 

When the precepts and example of Jesus Christ 
fully interpermeate society, to labor with the hands 
will be regarded not only as a duty but a privilege. 



woman's profession, 203 

to the former pupils and personal friends of 
the writer. 

If this enterprise succeeds in Connecticut its ex- 
ample will be followed in other States, and this vol- 
ume is sent to many former pupils and personal 
friends that they may co-operate in the several ways 
suggested. 

As the writer in former times has received such 
aid and co-operation, with funds also to employ at 
her discretion, and for several years has had no 
official organs to report results, it is proper to state 
that her personal expenditures for many years have 
been in a style of economy which she has seen prac- 
tised to such a degree nowhere else, and that all her 
income not thus employed has been devoted to plans 
from aiding her own sex to prepare for and perform 
their sacred ministry. 

The question as to how much of our income it is 
our duty to give for the cause for which our Lord 
came and suffered is a difficult one to settle. But 
He instructed the rich young man, " Sell all that 
thou hast and give to the poor and come and follow 



204 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

US," and he also approved the poor widow who gave 
her last mite to the service of God. 

In following out the spirit of these teachings, even 
in this life, to the writer has been fulfilled His gra- 
cious promise, " Give and it shall be given, good 
measure, pressed down, shaken together, running 
over." And the added rewards will increase through 
eternal ages, as immortal spirits, rescued from 
Ignorance and sin, will carry forward the same noble 
work of training immortal minds to virtue and hap- 
piness. 

Those who spend their money and time for earthly 
enjoyments that perish in the using " have their 
reward" in the short lived pleasures. Those who 
most literally follow the Divine Master lay up treas- 
ures that fail not, but draw interest through ever- 
lasting ages. This is written for the comfort and 
encouragement of those who by the writer were 
trained to " seek first the kingdom of God and His 
righteousness." 



WOMAN S PROFESSION. 205 

Note A. Mrs. Livcrmorc, in her address which followed this, 
expressed the wish that I had noticed more directly the main point, 
(i. e.) woman's natural, as well as constitutional right to the ballot. 
This I will briefly attempt here. 

It will be conceded by all, that neither man nor woman has any 
right to anything which is contrary to the best good of society. The 
question then is, does the best good of society demand a division of 
responsibilities, so that man shall take those out of the family, and 
woman those in it ? In other words, shall man take the responsibil- 
ities of nursery and kitchen in addition to his outside business, and 
shall women take charge of government, Avar, and the work men 
must do in addition to her home duties 1 Past laws and customs 
demand the division, and it is probable that it will be retained. 

As to the constitution of the United States, and the 14th and 15th 
amendments, the question all turns on the use of the terms citizen 
and people. Both these words, (as the dictionaries show,) have two 
uses, a wide, and a limited. In the widest sense they include men, 
women, and children. In the limited sense they include only a por- 
tion of society with certain qualifications which the best good of 
society requires. It is not probable that any court will ever decide 
that the framers of the constitution, or of the two amendments, used 
these terms in the widest sense, thus including not only women, but 
children. 

If the best good of society requires women to be law-makers, 
judges and juries, she has a right to these offices ; if it does not, she 
has no right to them. As to taxation, it is probable that the best 
good of society does require that women holding property shall have 
the ballot, for this would increase the proportion of responsible and 
intelligent voters, and not add a mass of irresponsible and ignorant 
ones, as would universal woman suffrage. 

It is owing to this that in Europe the statesmen are aiming to 
give suffrage, not to all women as demanded here, but only to those 
who hold property and pay taxes; for this, in reality, is a method 



A 



206 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

of increasing the proportion of intelligent voters. And if this meas- 
ure were adopted here it probably would add to the safety of our 
institutions. 

It is worthy of notice that a large portion of those who demand 
woman suffrage are persons who have not been trained to reason, 
and are chiefly guided by their generous sensibilities. Such do not 
seem to be aware that all reasoning consists in the presentation of 
evidence to prove that a given proposition is included in a more gen- 
eral one already believed and granted, and also that in this process 
there must be definitions of the sense in which terms are used that 
have several meanings. 

Instead of this, they write and talk as if reasoning were any kind of 
writing or talking which tends to convince people that some doctrine 
or measure is true and right. And so they deal abundantly in ex- 
citing narratives and rhetorical declamations, and employ words in 
all manner of deceptive senses. 

. For example, when Mrs. Livermore pleads that women should 
ha-^e equal rights with men before law, everybody grants it in some 
sense. But the question is in what sense is she to be made equal 1 
All will allow that law should be so framed that woman's highest 
usefulness and happiness shall be treated as equal in value to that 
of man's. But this is not relevant to the question whether laws be 
framed by fathers, husbands, and brothers, or by women. Most 
women believe that it is for their best good that the responsibility of 
making and enforcing laws be taken by men and not by women. 

But however clearly these distinctions are urged, Mrs. Livermore 
and her party will keep on saying that women should be made equal 
with men before the law, without stating in what sense they used 
these terms. So also they will insist that all " citizens " and all 
the " people " have a right to vote, without stating what they mean 
by "a right," or in which sense they use the words "people" and 
" citizens. " 



woman's profession. 207 

Note B. The author of this volume is preparing a new edi- 
tion of her works on Domestic Science and Economy with many 
improvements. Its name is to be The Housekeeper and Health- 
keeper, and it is designed for a complete Encyclopedia of Domestic 
Science and Practice. It will be published this winter by the 
Harpers. 

It will offer these new and peculiar features : 

1. The recipes for food and drink will be in two portions. The 
first portion will embrace a very large collection of simple and 
economical dishes, which, according to all medical and physio- 
logical rules, are perfectly healthful. The second portion will be a 
collection of more elaborate and expensive articles, which, accord- 
ing to all rules, are of at least doubtful character as to healthful- 
ness. Thus, every housekeeper will have safe and intelligent 
guidance in her selections. 

2. There will be exact directions as to flavors and seasonings, such 
as in most receipt-books are to be " according to the taste," thus 
leaving young housekeepers to the mercies of untrained cooks. 

3. It will contain exact directions for preserving and restoring 
health by the scientific use of the natural agencies of water, heat, 
cold, light, diet, exercise, and pure air, and such only as will be 
approved by scientific men of all medical schools. 



Note C. All the creeds of the large christian denominations 
agree in the following, viz. : that God created angels and our first 
parents with a " holy nature," and also'created such a constitution 
of things, that by a single sin they changed their holy nature to a 
" depraved nature" and also transmitted to all their posterity not the 
holy nature but the depraved one. In consequence of this con- 
stitution of things made by God, all our race, except those who 
are " regenerated," go to everlasting misery in Hell. 

As intelligence and christian feeling have increased, multitudes 
educated in these views deny the doctrine of future punishments 
and hold that the righteous and the wicked all go to Pleaven at 
death. 



208 WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND 

Others hold that God creates all infant minds perfect as to nature, 
being "in his image/' yet imperfect in development, and that holy 
character and action can be secured only by training, knowledge and 
self-control; that "the deeds done in the body" influence character 
and happiness through an eternal existence ; that some form such a 
character in this life as secures eternal happiness and that some, by 
voluntary resistance to the highest possible good influences, form a 
changless character of selfishness and consequent misery, so that it 
were "better never to have been born" ; that with others the train- 
ing to virtue goes on during the intermediate state, in Hades where 
Christ, at his death, went and preached to those that lived before 
the flood ; (see I Peter, 3 : 18, 19, 20,) that the day of judgment is 
the time when the final separation of the righteous and the wicked 
will take place ; that the punishment of the wicked is only the natu- 
ral result of perpetuated selfishness in a world from which all the 
good are removed ; and that this separation will not take place until 
God and all good beings have done all in their power to rescue as many 
as possible from selfishness and sin. 

There are many modifications of these general views in various de- 
nominations ; but all except a small number agree that Christ teaches 
that there are awful dangers in the life to come ; and that it should be 
the chief aim of every parent and educator to train all within the reach 
of their influence so to live and act in view of these dangers as to fol- 
low Him in self-denying labors to save as many as possible. 

It will be found that in all ages the fear of dangers in the life to 
come has been the basis of the most earnest labor and self sacrifice 
to save men from ignorance and sin. "The ^ear of the Lord is the 
beginning of wisdom," and those who throw aside this principle loose 
the most powerful motive in training to safety both for this and the 
future life. And there are modes of presenting this doctrine so as 
\JQot to implicate the justice and mercy of our Heavenly Father as 



woman's profession. 209 

do some representations from which humanity more and more 
revolts. 

The fact that sin and suffering exist in a universe created by a 
perfectly benevolent, wise, and almighty Being, is proof that 
"almighty power" is not the power to work contradictions, and 
therefore in this respect is limited. In the words of my venerated 
father, "God cannot govern the stars by the ten commandments, nor 
free agents by the attraction of gravity.'* This limitation of God's 
power in governing free agents, is expressly taught in the Bible. 
For our only idea of power is causing anything by willing it, and 
want of power is inability to cause a thing by willing it. And God 
repeatedly declares that he is not willing that any should perish ; 
and that he did all for the people of Israel that he could do to make 
them obedient. 

The parents and teachers who hold that all are to come out good 
and happy at last, however negligent or criminal in this life, or that 
all have a second probation, never can train the young to the self- 
denying labors to save men which Jesus Christ has taught by both 
precept and example, to be the duty of his followers. It is very cer- 
tain that the whole course of my life would have been changed for 
the worse had I believed either that there was little or no danger in 
the life to come or that all had a second probation after death. 



Note D. The following chapter is a part of my small work en- 
titled Letters to the People on Health and Happiness, published by the 
Harpers, who have loaned the stereotype plates here used. 

Before reading it, I would ask that my dejinitions be borne in mind 
when I class the degrees of health, and also the fact that when 1 give 
my own observations I am confined to those persons whom I know 
well enough to ascertain exactly their state of health, while there 



210 WOMAN SUFFRAGE. 

may be others in close vicinity not noticed, whom on enquiry I 
might find to be vigorously healthy women. 

Every woman who has any kind of liability to be a mother, or a 
nurse of the sick, or to meet other exhausting emergencies of the 
family state needs a reserved force of vital strength which many 
women who seem to be in perfect health find lacking in such emer- 
gencies. This want of this is one cause of the frequent failure of 
health after marriage, and is one result of a transmitted delicate con- 
stitution. 

I also ask special attention to the fact that women in the country 
of the industrial classes have not the robust health of earlier genera' 
tions. In addition to other causes, for this, is the overworking and 
anxiety consequent on increased civilization. The fashions and ex. 
penditures of cities stimulate the country, and the mothers strain 
every nerve to secure for sons and daughters a style of dress and 
furniture in former days unknown. This and the desire to accumu- 
late, wears out many a wife and mother before half her days are 
accomplished, making her a perpetual invalid or sending her to an 
early grave. 



LETTER EIGHTEENTH. 

STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 

During my extensive tours in all i)ortions of the Free 
States, I was brought into most intimate communion, not 
only with my widely-ditfused circle of relatives, but with 
very many of my former pupils who had become wives and 
mothers. From such, I learned the secret domestic history 
both of those I visited and of many of their intimate friends. 
And oh ! what heartaches were the result of these years of 
quiet observation of the experience of my sex in domestic 
life. How many young hearts have revealed the fact, that 
what they had been trained to imagine the higliest earthly 
felicity, was but the beginning of cai-e, disappointment, and 
sorrow, and often led to the extremity of mental and phys- 
ical suffering. Why was it that I was so often told that 
"young girls little imagined what was before them when 
they entered married life ?" Why did I so often find those 
united to the most congenial and most devoted husbands 
expressing the hope that their daughters would never marry? 
For years these were my quiet, painful conjectures. 

But the more I traveled, and the more I resided in health 
establishments, the more the conviction Avas pressed on my 
attention that there was a terrible decay of female health 
all over the land, and that this evil was bringing with it an 
incredible extent of individual, domestic, and social suffer- 
ing, that was increasing in a most alarming ratio. At last, 
certain developments led me to take decided measures to 
obtain some reliable statistics on the subject. During my 
ftravels the last year I have sought all practicable methods 
of obtaining information, and finally adopted this course 
with most of the married ladies whom I met, either on my 
journeys or at the various health establishments at which I 
stopped. 211 



212 LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE. 

I requested each lady first to write the initials of ten of 
the married ladies with whom she was best acquainted in 
her place of residence. Then she was requested to write at 
each name, her impressions as to the health of each lady. 
In this way, during the past year, I obtained statistics from 
about two hundred different places in almost all the Free 
States. 

Before giving any of these, I will state some facts to shoAV 
how far they are reliable : In the first place, the standard of 
health among American M'omen is so low that few have a 
correct idea of what a healthy woman is. I have again and 
again been told by ladies that they were " perfectly healthy," 
who yet, on close inquiry, woiild allow that they a\ ere subject 
to frequent attacks of neuralgia, or to ]jeriodic nervous head- 
aches, or to local ailments, to which they had become so ac- 
customed, that they were covmted as " nothing at all." A 
woman who has tolerable health finds herself so much above 
the great mass of her friends in th^ respect, that she feels 
herself a prodigy of good health. 

In the next place, I have found that women who enjoy 
universal health are seldom well informed as to the infirm- 
ities of their friends. Kepeatedly I have taken accounts 
from such persons, that seemed singularly favorable, Avhen, 
on more particular inquiry, it was found that the greater 
part, who were set down as perfectly healthy women, Avere 
habitual suff'erers from serious ailments. The delicate and 
infirm go for sympathy, not to the well and buoyant, but to 
those who have suffered like themselves. 

This will account for some very favorable statements, given 
by certain ladies, that have not been inserted, because more 
accurate information showed their impressions to be false. 
As a general fact, it has been found that the more minute 
the inquiry, the greater the relative increase of ill health in 
all these investigations. 

Again, I have found that ladies were predisposed usually 
to give the viostfavorahle view of the case ; for all persons like 
to feel that they are living in " a healthy place" rather than 
the reverse. 

Again, I have found that almost CA'ery person in the re- 
sult obtained, found that the case was worse than had been 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 

supposed, tlie ])roportion of sick or delicate to the strong 
and healthy being so small. 

It must be remembered, that in regard to those marked 
as " sickly," " delicate," or " feeble," there can be no mis- 
take, the knowledge being in all cases positive, while those 
marked as "well" may have ailments that are not known. 
For multitudes of American women, with their strict no- 
tions of propriety, and their patient and energetic spirit, 
often are performing every duty entirely silent as to any 
suffering or infirmities they may be enduring. 

As to the terms used in these statements, in all cases 
there was a previous statement made as to the sense in 
which they were to be employed. 

A " perfectly healthy" or " a vigorous and healthy woman" 
is one of whom there are specimens remaining in almost 
every place ; such as used to abound when all worked, and 
worked in pure air. 

Such a woman is one who can through the whole day be 
actively employed on her feet in all kinds of domestic du- 
ties without injury, and constantly and habitually has a feel- 
ing of perfect health and perfect freedom from pain. Not 
that she never has a fit of sickness, or takes a cold that in- 
terrupts the feeling of health, but that these are out of her 
ordinary experience. 

A woman is marked "well" who usually has good health, 
but can not bear exposures, or long and great fatigue, with- 
out consequent illness. 

A woman is marked " delicate" who, though she may be 
about and attend to most of her domestic employments, has 
a frail constitution that either has been undermined by ill 
health, or which easily and frequently yields to fatigue, or 
exposure, or excitement. 

In the statements that follow, I shall place first those 
which are most reliable, inasmuch as in each case personal 
inquiries were made and the specific ailments were noted, 
to show that nothing was stated without full knowledge. 
As a matter of delicacy, the initials are changed, so that no 
individual can thus be identified. 



214 LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE. 



MOST RELIABLE STATISTICS. 

Milwaukee, Wis. Mrs. A. frequent sick headaches. Mrs. B. 
very feeble. Mrs. S. well, except chills. Mrs. L. poor 
health constantly. Mrs. D. subject to frequent headaches. 
Mrs. B. very poor health. Mrs. C. consumption. Mrs.! 

A. pelvic displacements and -weakness. Mrs. H. pelvic « 
disorders and a cough. Mrs. B. always sick. Do not 
know one perfectly healthy Avoman in the place. 

Essex, Vt. Mrs. S. very feeble. Mrs. D. slender and delicate. 

Mrs. S. feeble. Mrs. S. not well. Mrs. G. quite feeble. 

Mrs. C. quite feeble. Mrs. B. quite feeble. Mrs. S. quite 

slender. Mrs. B. quite feeble. Mrs. F. very feeble. 

Knows but one perfectly healthy woman in town. 
Peru, N. Y. Mrs. C. not healthy. Mrs. H. not healthy. Mrs. 

E. healthy. Mrs. B. pretty Avell. Mrs. K. delicate. Mrs. 

B. not strong and healthy. Mrs. S. healthy and vigorous. 
Mrs. L. pretty Avell. Mrs. L. pretty well. 

Canton, Penn. IMrs. R. feeble. INIrs. B. bad headaches. Mrs. 
D. bad headaches. Mrs. V. feeble. Mrs. S. erysipelas. 
Mrs. K. headaches, but tolerably well. jNlrs. R. miserably 
sick and nervous. Mrs. G. poor health. Mrs. L. invalid. 
Mrs. C. invalid. 

Oherlin, Ohio. Mrs. A. usually Avell, but subject to neuralgia. 
Mrs, D. poor health. Mrs. K. well, but subject to nervous 
headaches. Mrs. M. poor health. Mrs. C. not in good 
health. Mrs. P. not in good health. Mrs. P. delicate. 
Mrs. F. not in good health. Sirs. F. not in good health. 

Wilinhifjfon, Del. Mrs. ■ , scrofula. ]\Irs. B. in good health. 

Mrs. D. delicate. jNlrs. II. delicate. Mrs. S. healthy. 
Mrs. P. healthy. Mrs. G. delicate. Mrs. O. delicate. 
Sirs. T. very delicate. Mrs. S. headaches. 

New Bedford, Mass. Mrs. B. pelvic diseases, and every way out 
of order. Mrs. J. W. pelvic disorders. Mrs. W. B. Avell, 
except in one respect. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. C. rather 
delicate. Mrs. P. not healthy. Mrs. C. unAvell at times. 
Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. B. subject to spasms. Mrs. H. 
very feeble. Can not think of but one perfectly healthy 
woman in the place. 

Paxton, 17. Mrs. T. diseased in liver and back. Mrs. II. stom- 
ach and back diseased. Mrs. AV. sickly. JNlrs. S. very 
delicate. Sirs. C. siik headaches, sickly. Sirs. W. bil- 
ious complaints. Sirs. T. very delicate. Sirs. T. liver 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 215 

complaint. Mrs. C. bilious sometimes, well most of the 
time. Do not know a perfectly healthy woman in the 
place. Many of these are the wives of wealthy farmers, 
who overivork when there is no need of it. 

Crown Point, N. Y. Mrs. H. bronchitis. Mrs. K. very delicate. 
Mrs. A. very delicate. Mrs. A. diseased in back and stom- 
ach. Mrs. S. consumption. Mrs. A. dropsy. Mrs. M. 
delicate. Mrs. M. G. delicate. Mrs. P. delicate. Mrs. 
C. consumption. Do not know one perfectly healthy wo- 
man in the place. 

Batavia, Illinois. Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. G. scrofula. Mrs. 
W. liver complaint. Mrs. K. pelvic disorders. Mrs. S. 
pelvic diseases. Mrs. B. pelvic diseases very badly. Mrs. 
B. not healthy. Mrs. T. very feeble. Mrs. G. cancer. 
Mrs. N. liver complaint. Do not know one healthy woman 
in the place. 

Oneida, N. Y. Mrs. C. delicate. Mrs. P. scrofula. Mrs, S. not 
well. Mrs. L. very delicate and nervous. Mrs. L. inva):d. 
Mrs. L. tolerably well. Mrs. A. invalid. Mrs. W. broken 
down. Mrs. D. feeble. Mrs. AV. pale but pretty well. 

North Adams, Mass. Mrs. R. scrofula and liver complaint. Mrs. 
R. consumption. Mrs. C. consumption. Mrs. B. liver 
complaint. Mrs. B. consumption. Mrs. B. general de- 
bility. Mrs. F. consumption. Mrs. W. paralytic. Mrs. 
W. confined always to her bed. Mrs. R. scrofula. 

Charlotte, Vt. Mrs. W. spinal complaint. Mrs. D. spinal com- 
plaint. Mrs. N. spinal complaint. Mrs. R. bilious and 
paralytic. Mrs. R. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. heart dis- 
ease and dropsy. Mrs. B. dropsical. Mrs. H. pelvic dis- 
ease and palsy. Mrs. H. scrofula and consumption. Mrs. 
S. quite delicate. Knows but one perfectly healthy woman 
in the place. 

Maria, N. Y. Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. E. dyspepsia. Mrs. 
T. dyspepsia. Mrs. D. consumption. ]\Irs. P. dyspepsia. 
Mrs. R. sickly. Mrs. M. sickl3^ Mrs. R. delicate. Mrs. 
S. Sickly. Mrs. R. consumption. Knows not one perfectly 
healthy woman in the place 

Vergenncs, Vt. Mrs. L. delicate. Mrs. H. consumption. Mrs. 
H. consumption. Mrs. C. sickly. Mrs. S. liver complaint. 
Mrs. S. asthma. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. B. bronchitis. 
Mrs. S. consumptive. Mrs. B. delicate. Does not know 
a perfectly healthy woman in the place. 

BrooUyn, N. >'. Mrs. B. very delicate. Mrs. G. scrofulous. 



216 LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE. 

Mrs. R. pelvic displacements. Mrs. I. nervous headaches. 
Mrs. A. pelvic diseases. Mrs. W. heart disease. Mrs. S. 
organic disease. Mrs. B. well but delicate. Mrs. L. weU 
but delicate. Mrs. C. delicate. 

Berlin, Conn. Mrs. A. dyspepsia. Mrs. B. quite delicate. Mrs. 
C. nervous headaches. Mrs. G. pelvic disorders. Mrs. 
M. Aveak lungs. Mrs. F. not sound. Mrs. C. delicate.^ 
Mrs. N. vigorous and healthy. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. A. 
delicate. 

Whitestown, N. Y. Mrs. A. consumptive. Mrs. P. well but deli- 
cate. Mrs. M. well but delicate. Mrs. S. pelvic disorders. 
Mrs. R. dropsy. Mrs. B. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. sick 
headaches. Mrs. K. organic disorder. Mrs. B. well but 
delicate. Mrs. T. bronchitis. 

Proctorville, Vt. Mrs. B. well. Mrs. H. well. Mrs. S. pelvic 
and stomach disorders. Mrs. S. not healthy. Mrs. F. not 
healthy. Mrs. B. sickly. Mrs, C. not healthy. Mrs. W. 
not health}^. Mrs. A. vigorous and usually W'ell. Knows 
no other strong and healthy woman. 

Saratoga, N. Y. Mrs. M. pelvic disorders. Mrs. H. pelvic dis- 
orders. Mrs. A. pelvic disorders. Mrs. C. well. Mrs. C. 
neuralgia. Mrs. P. well. Mrs. T. consumptive. Mrs. J. 
tolerably well. Mrs. B. consumptive. Mrs. B. not well. 
Knows only one more w^ell one among her acquaintance. 

Saratoga, N. Y. (by another resident). Mrs. T. pelvic disorder. 
Mrs. C. pelvic disease. Mrs. H. not avcII. INIrs. S. well 
and strong. Mrs. B. tolerably well. Mrs. M. usually well. 
Mrs. 0. headaches. Mrs. H. 0. well. Mrs. S. delicate. 
Mrs. P. not well. 

Canandaigua, N. Y. Mrs. A. well. Mrs. B. an invalid, Mrs. 
C. delicate, Mrs, H. delicate. Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. 
J. well. ^^, P. delicate. Mrs. A. well. Mrs. C. an in- 
valid. Mrs. W. well. 

Livonia, N. Y. Mrs, H. rheumatic. Mrs. R, healthy and vigor- 
ous, Mrs, S. well. Mrs. R. good health. Mrs, P. very poor 
health. Mrs. B. well. Mrs. G. an invalid. Mrs. S. deli- 
cate. Mrs. T. poor health. Mrs. • , pelvic disorders. 

Turkhannoch, Penn. Mrs. P. delicate and sickly. Mrs. L. deli- 
icate and well. Mrs. R. well and vigorous. Mrs. S. tol- 
erably well. Mrs. C, well. Mrs. S. healthy. Mrs. T. 
consumption. Mrs. M. healthy. Mrs. R. well. Mrs. 
• , pelvic disorders. 

Bath, N. Y. Mrs. H. an invalid. Mrs. H, rheumatic, Mrs. H. 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 



217 



healthy and vigorous. Mrs. S. vigorous. Mrs. K. deli- 
cate. Mrs. K. very healthy. Mrs. W. broken down. 
Mrs. W. tolerably well. Mrs. W. an invalid. Mrs. H. 
poor health. 
CastU'ton, N. Y. Mrs. S. sickly. Mrs. W. healthy. Mrs. S. 
very delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. H. delicate. Mrs. 
B. delicate. Mrs. W. not healthy. Mrs. H. not healthy. 
Mrs. D. not healthy. 

The following were furnished by ladies who simply ar- 
ranged the names of the ten married ladies best known to 
them in the place of their residence, in three classes, as 
marked over the several columns : 





strong and 


Delicate 




Residence. 


perfectly 


or 






Healthy. 


Diseased. 




Hudson, Michigan 


2 


4 


4 


Castleton, Vermont 


Not one. 


9 


1 


Bridgeport, " 


4 


4 


2 


Dorset, " 


Not one. 


1 


. 9 


South Royalston, Mass 


4 


2 


4 


Townsend, Vermont 


4 


3 


3 


Greenbush, New York 


2 


5 


3 


Southington, Connecticut. 


3 


5 


2 


Newark, New Jersey 


2 


3 


5 


New York City 


2 


4 


4 


Oneida, New York 


3 


2 


5 


Milwaukee, Wisconsin 


1 


3 


6 


Rochester, New York 


2 


6 


2 


■Plainfield, New Jersey 


2 


4 


4 


New York Citv 


3 
4 


6 
3 


1 
3 


Lennox, Massachusetts . . . 


Union Vale, New York. . . 


2 


5 


3 


Albany, " 


2 


3 


5 


Hartford, Conn 


1 


5 


4 


Cincinnati, Ohio 


1 


4 


5 


Andover, Mass 


2 


5 


3 


Brunswick, Maine 


2 


5 


•' 1 



2lS 



LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE. 



Residence. 


Strong and 
litalthy. 


Delicate or 
iJisoased. 


Invalids. 


Soutliington, Connecticut. 


3 


5 


2 


Rochester, Eew York 


2 


6 


2 


Albany, " 


2 


4 


4 


Milwaukee, Wisconsin 


1 


3 


G 


Plainfield, New Jersey . . . 


2 


4 


4 


New York City 


3 


G 


1 


New York City 


2 


4 


4 


Worcester, Massachusetts. 


1 


6 


2 


Newark, New Jersey 


2 


3 


5 


Bonhorame, Missouri 


3 


6 


2 


Painted Post, New York . . 


1 


3 


6 


Wilkins, " 


2 


3 


6 


Johnsburg, " 


3 


6 


1 


Burdett, " 


4 


3 


3 


Horse Heads " 


3 


2 


5 


Pompey " 


4 


4 


2 


Tioga, Pennsylvania 


3 


4 


3 


Lodi, New York 


2 


5 


3 


Seymour, Connecticut 


3 


7 





Williamsviile, New York . . 


4 


2 


4 


Herkimer, " 


3 


2 


5 


Hudson, Michigan. 


2 


4 


4 


Kalamazoo, " 


3 


6 


1 



The following are those not so reliable as the preceding, 
as the papers were some of them not clear, and some uncer- 
tainty about others for want of personal inquiry : 

CattsJciU, N. Y. Three vigorous, two well, three delicate, two 

sickly. 
Batavia, N. F. One vigorous, two well, three delicate, one 

sickly. 
Ogden, N. Y. Three well, five well but delicate, two sickly. 
Utica, N. Y. Nine well but not vigorous, one invalid. 
Ehinebech, N. Y. One vigorous, six w^ell but not vigorous, one 

delicate, one invalid. 
Cooperstown^ N. Y. Two vigorous, five well, two delicate, two 

sickly. 
Lima, N. Y. Five well, three delicate, two sickly. 
Rockaway, N. Y. Two vigorous, five well, one delicate, two 

sickly. 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 21 U 

BrocJcport^ N. Y. Three vigorous, six well, one delicate, one 

sickly. 
Buffalo, N. Y. Five well, five delicate. 
Potsdam, N. Y. Eight tolerably well, two sickly. 
Rome, N. Y. Two well, seven tolerably well, one sickly. 
Rochester, N. Y. Four Avell, three delicate, tliree sickly. 
Princeton, N. J. Four well, live well but delicate, three sickly. 
Muncy, Penn. Two vigorous, six well but delicate, two sickly. 

The remainder of accounts furnished being less reliable, 
for want of opportunities of definite inquiry on my part, and 
will therefore be omitted. But they do not essentially differ 
from these pi-esented. 

I will now add my own personal observation. First, in 
my own family connection : I have nine married sisters and 
sisters-in-law, all of them either delicate or invalids, except 
two. I have fourteen married female cousins, and not one 
of them but is either delicate, often ailing, or an invalid. 
In my wide circle of friends and acquaintance all over the 
land out of my family circle, the same impression is made. 
In Boston I can not remember but one married female 
friend who is perfectly healthy. In Hartford, Conn., I can 
think of only one. In New Haven, but one. In Brooklyn, 
N. y., but one. In New York city, but one. In Cincinnati, 
but one. In Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, De- 
troit, those whom I have visited are either delicate or in- 
valids. I am not able to recall, in my immense circle of 
friends and acquaintance all over the Union, so many as ten 
married ladies born in this century and country, who are 
perfectly sound, healthy, and vigorous. Not that I believe 
there are not more than this among the friends with whom 
I have associated, but among all whom I can bring to mind 
of whose health I have any accurate knowledge, I can not 
find this number of entirely sound and healthy women. 

Another thing has greatly added to the impression of my 
own observations, and that is the manner in which my in- 
quiries have been met. In a majority of cases, when I have 
asked for the number of perfectly healthy women in a given 
place, the first impulsive answer has been "not one." In 
other cases, when the reply has been more favorable, and I 
have asked for specifics, the result has always been such a^ 

I 



220 LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE. 

to diminish the number calculated, rather than to increase 
it. With a few exceptions the persons I have asked, Avho 
had not directed their thoughts to the subject, and took a 
favorable view of it, have expressed surprise at the painful 
result obtained in their own immediate circle. 

But the thing which has pained and surprised me the 
most is the result of inquiries among the country-towns and 
industrial classes in our country. I had supposed that there 
would be a great contrast between the statements gained 
from persons from such places, and those furnished from 
the wealthy circles, and especially from cities. But such 
has not been the case. It will be seen that the larger por- 
tion of the accounts inserted in the preceding pages are 
from country-towns, while a large portion of the worst ac- 
counts were taken from the industrial classes. 

As another index of the state of health among the indus- 
trial classes may be mentioned these facts : During the past 
year I made my usual inquiry of the wife of a Methodist 
clergyman, who resided in a small country-town in New 
York. Her reply was, " There are no healthy Avomen where 
I live, and my husband says he would travel a great many- 
miles for the pleasure of finding one." 

In another case I conversed with a Baptist clergyman and 
his wife, in Ohio, and their united testimony gave this re- 
sult in three places where his parishioners were chiefly of 
the industrial class. They selected at random ten families 
best known in each place : 

Worcester, Ohio. Women in perfect health, two. In medium 

health, one. Invalids, seven. 
Norioalk, Ohio. Women perfectly healthy, one, but doubtfully 

so. Medium, none. Invalids, nine. 
Cleveland, Ohio. Women in perfect health, one. Medivmi health, 

two. Invalids, seven. 

In traveling at the West the past winter, I repeatedly con- 
versed with drivers and others among the laboring class on 
this subject, and always heard such remarks as these: "Well ! 
it is strange how sickly the women are getting!" "Our 
women-folks don't have such health as they used to do !" 

One case was very striking. An old lady from New En- 
gland told me her mother had twelve children ; eleven grew 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 221 

Up healthy, and raised families. Her father's mother had 
fifteen children, and raised them all ; and all but one, who 
was drowned, lived to a good old age. This lady stated 
that she could not remember that there was a single "weak- 
ly woman" in the town where she lived Avlieu she was 
young. 

This lady had two daughters with her, both either deli- 
cate or diseased, and a sick niece from that same town, once 
so healthy when the old lady was young. This niece told 
me she could not think of even one really robust, strong, 
and jaerfectly healthy woman in that place ! The husband 
of this old lady told me that in his youth he also did not 
Icnow of any sickly women in the place where he was reared. 

A similar account was given me by two ladies, residents 
of Goshen, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. 

The elder lady gave the following account of her married 
acquaintance some forty years ago in that place : 

Mrs. L. strong and perfectly healthy. Mrs. A. healthy and 
strong as a horse. Mrs. N. perfectly well always. Mrs. 
H. strong and well. Mrs. B. strong and generally healthy, 
but sometimes ailing a little. Mrs. R. always well. Mrs. 
W. strong and Avell. Mrs. G. strong and hearty. Mrs. 
H. strong and healthy. Mrs. L. strong and healthy. 

All the above persons performed their own family work. 

The following account was given by the daughter of the 
lady mentioned above, and the list is chiefly made up of 
daughters of the above healthy women living at this time 
in the same town : 

Mrs. C. constitution broken by pelvic disorders. Mrs. P. very 
delicate. Mrs. L. delicate and feeble. Mrs. R. feeble and 
nervous. Mrs. S. bad scrofulous humors. Mrs. D. very 
feeble, head disordered. Mrs. R. delicate and sickly. 
Mrs. G. healthy. Mrs. D. healthy. Mrs. W. well. 
These last three were the only healthy married women she 

knew in the place. 

I have received statements from more than a hundred 
other places besides those recorded here. The larger por- 
tion of these were taken by others, or else by myself in such 
circumstances that I could not make the inquiries needed 



222 LUil'TERS TO THE PEOPLE. 

to rendei" thetn reliable, and some I have lost. The general 
impression made, even by these alone, would bring out very 
nearly the same result. The proportion of the sick and 
delicate to those who were strong and well was, in the ma- 
jority of cases, a melancholy story. But among them were 
a few cases in which a very favorable statement was verified 
by close examination. In several such cases, however, 
most of the healthy women proved to be either English, 
Irish, or Scotch. In one case, a lady from a country-town, 
not far from Philadelphia, gave an account, showing eight 
out of ten perfectly healthy, and the other two were not very 
much out of health. On inquiry, I found that this was a 
Quaker settlement, and most of the healthy ones were 
Quakers. 

In one town of Massachusetts, the lady giving the inform- 
ation said all the ten she gave were healthy, but two. Her 
associates were all women who were in easy circumstances, 
and did their own family woi-k. These two places, however, 
are the only instances I have found, Avhere, on close inquiry, 
the majority Avas on the side of good health. 

There is no doubt that there are many places like these 
two, of which some resident would report that a majority 
of their acquaintance wewe healthy women ; but out of about 
two hundred towns and cities, located in most of the Free 
States, only two have as yet presented so favorable a case in 
the line of my inquiries during the year in which they have 
been prosecuted. 

Let these considerations now be taken into account. The 
generation represented in these statistics, by universal con- 
sent, is a feebler one than that which immediately preceded. 
Knowing the changes in habits of living, in habits of ac- 
tivity, and in respect to pure air, we properly infer that it 
must be so, while universal testimony corroborates the in- 
ference. 

The present generation of parents, then, have given their 
children, so far as the mother has hereditary influence, fee- 
bler constitutions than the former generation received, so 
that most of our young girls have started in life with a more 
delicate organization than their mothers. Add to this the 
sad picture given in a former letter of all the abuses of 



STATISTICS OF FEMALE HEALTH. 223 

health suffered by the young during their early education, 
and what are the present prospects of the young women 
who are now entering married life ? 

This view of the case, in connection with some dreadful 
developments which will soon be indicated, proved so op- 
pressive and exciting that it has been too painful and ex- 
hausting to attempt any investigation as to the state of 
health among young girls. But every where I go, mothers 
are constantly saying, "What shall I do? As soon as my 
little girl begins school she has the headache." Or this — "I 
sent my daughter to such a boarding-school, but had to take 
her away on account of her health." 

The public schools of our towns and cities, where the 
great mass of the people are to be educated, are the special 
subject of remark and complaint in this respect. 

Consider also that "man that is born of a woman" de- 
pends on her not only for the constitutional stamina with 
which he starts in life, but for all he receives during the de- 
velopments of infancy and the training of childhood, and 
what are we to infer of the condition and prospects of the 
other sex now in the period of education ? 



/ 



